As monsoon sets in, Centre scales up urban rainwater drive to make cities more water secure
Alongside groundwater recharge, the Centre is reviving nearly 1.21 lakh acres of water bodies under the Water Body Rejuvenation component of AMRUT 2.0
With cities continuing to face water shortages despite receiving heavy monsoon rain each season, the Centre has expanded its ‘Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls’ campaign across urban India to conserve water and recharge groundwater.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said nearly 900 urban local bodies from 27 states and Union Territories have been brought under the campaign being carried out under AMRUT 2.0, with a focus on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and the revival of urban water bodies to improve long-term water security and strengthen climate resilience.
The initiative, being carried out in convergence with the Ministry of Jal Shakti under Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jan Bhagidari 2.0, has taken up 1,99,278 groundwater recharge structures in 79 municipal corporations. Another 73,036 recharge structures are being implemented across 738 urban local bodies to help capture rainwater and replenish groundwater.
The ministry said cities are also adopting location-specific solutions through the Shallow Aquifer Management Programme under AMRUT 2.0.
In Burdwan in West Bengal and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, recharge pits linked with injection borewells are being used to channel rainwater into deeper aquifers. In Itanagar, rooftop rainwater harvesting systems with storage facilities are supporting water conservation as well as groundwater recharge. In Korba and Warangal, recharge structures have been made operational ahead of the monsoon so that seasonal rainfall can be captured and used for aquifer replenishment.
Alongside groundwater recharge, the Centre is reviving nearly 1.21 lakh acres of water bodies under the Water Body Rejuvenation component of AMRUT 2.0. The works include desilting, improving inlets and outlets, shoreline protection, landscaping and biodiversity enhancement to increase water storage, improve groundwater recharge and strengthen urban flood resilience.
The ministry added that more than 18,000 acres of parks and green spaces are also being developed across cities. Besides creating public spaces, these projects are intended to support groundwater recharge, improve environmental sustainability and help reduce urban heat stress.
