The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari program aims to save water, strongly highlighting community partnership and ownership.
After the successful construction of 80,000 rainwater harvesting structures in Gujarat under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari program, the Union government is set to expand this initiative to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in the next 10-15 days.
The program, led by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, was announced during the 8th India Water Week and focuses on community-driven water conservation efforts. The initiative aims to tackle India’s growing water scarcity by promoting community ownership of water resources.
Water Scarcity and India’s Freshwater Challenge
India, despite having large river systems, only holds 4% of the world’s freshwater. Water scarcity is particularly severe in arid regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat, compounded by factors such as overexploitation of groundwater, inadequate rainwater harvesting, and mismanagement of water resources.
The impact of climate change is further exacerbating this crisis, especially in drought-prone areas.
Decreasing Per Capita Water Availability
A report by Moody’s highlights that India’s average annual per capita water availability is expected to fall to 1,367 cubic meters by 2031, down from 1,486 cubic meters in 2021.
This decline could have significant economic consequences, as water scarcity could reduce GDP in some regions by up to 6%, according to the World Bank.
River Linking Projects to Tackle Floods and Droughts
To address recurring flood and drought issues, Patil announced that the government will accelerate the linking of major rivers within the next two to three months.
This ambitious plan is part of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision to create 30 river links, connecting 37 rivers across India via a network of approximately 3,000 storage dams.
One of the flagship projects under this plan is the Ken-Betwa river linking project, with a recently signed MoU between the Union government and the state governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The project, which includes the construction of two barrages on the Ken river in Banda and Pailani, aims to provide irrigation to over 250,000 hectares of land. The ₹2,000 crore project is expected to commence in October 2025 and be completed by June 2029.
