Jal Shakti ministry releases three key water management documents

New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil on Monday released three key water management documents, including a city-level action plan for the reuse of treated water in Varanasi. The documents released at the All India Water Secretaries' Conference here include the city-level action plan for the reuse of treated water for Varanasi, which provides a roadmap for the safe reuse of treated wastewater and promotes a circular water economy. The documents also include the operation and maintenance manual for artificial recharge and groundwater conservation structures jointly developed by the National Water Mission and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), and the schedule of rates for drilling and allied works prepared by the CGWB to bring transparency and standardisation in drilling and allied works. The conference, organised by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, was chaired by Patil in the presence of Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary. Secretary of the department V L Kantha Rao, senior secretaries from all states and Union Territories, and officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti attended the conference. Around 200 participants took part in the event. The conference deliberated on eight priority agenda items, including the status of the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme, the special one-month nationwide Catch the Rain campaign, revised draft project appraisal guidelines for irrigation, multipurpose and flood management projects, rule curves of dam reservoirs, the State Water Reforms Framework, completion of comprehensive dam safety evaluation under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, progress of irrigation censuses and a framework for model state water awards. Addressing the conference, Patil said, "Water is the foundation of India's economic growth, food security, environmental sustainability and the well-being of every citizen." Highlighting the challenges posed by climate change, groundwater depletion and rapid urbanisation, he called for scientific, efficient and sustainable water resources management. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call during the June 28 episode of Mann Ki Baat, Patil urged all states and Union Territories to intensify the Catch the Rain 2026 campaign through rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, rejuvenation of traditional water bodies, afforestation and public participation. He also stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of the M-CADWM scheme, strengthen water user associations, improve irrigation efficiency and simplify project appraisal processes to facilitate faster implementation of irrigation and flood management projects. Patil called for the effective implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the timely completion of dam safety evaluations and measures to tackle reservoir sedimentation. Highlighting the State Water Reforms Framework and the ongoing national water-related censuses, he underscored the importance of digital governance, scientific planning and public participation. The conference concluded with a resolve for time-bound implementation to achieve the goal of "Jal Surakshit, Bharat Surakshit", the ministry said. PTI ADI KSS KSS