Haryana's Public Health Engineering Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa has said that Haryana will accomplish the goal of ‘Water Safe State’ before 2047. For this, Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT Yojana and canal-based drinking water projects are being expanded in Haryana. The Public Health Minister demanded a special package for strengthening various projects to make Haryana a water safe state.
Sh. Gangwa was addressing a conference organized in Udaipur (Rajasthan) on the topic of 'Water Safe Nation'. Irrigation, Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Shruti Choudhry was also present in the conference. Sh. Gangwa said in various sessions of the two-day conference, several suggestions and plans were given for a water secure nation by 2047.
This program will play an important role in the journey of developed India in matters of water conservation. Giving information about the proper use of water resources and schemes in the state, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said canal-based schemes are being further strengthened in Haryana.
In areas where there is shortage of water in water houses, the process is underway to shift them to the upper end of the canals. This is a huge task, which requires investment. The minister said we are taking the assitance of NABARD for these projects. He demanded a special package from the Union Jal Shakti Minister to make Haryana a water secure state.
216 villages connected to Ranney Well project
The minister said the Haryana Government has provided drinking water to 216 villages on a permanent basis through the Ranney Well project from the Yamuna river. This project with new and sustainable sources has been a game changer. He said the Haryana Government is continuously working to bring the villages of Mewat region under the purview of Ranney Well schemes.
Moving forward on plan to reuse treated wastewater
Sh. Gangwa said the government is moving forward by taking positive steps to deal with the threat posed by excessive exploitation of groundwater. He said there are 177 sewage treatment plants in Haryana with a total capacity of 2137.00 MLD, out of which 1487.12 MLD treated wastewater is being generated.
It is our endeavour to increase this quantity to more than 1000 MLD by December 2025. We hope to reuse 100 percent treated wastewater in the state of Haryana by December 2028.
State Water Action Plan-II to increase drinking water supply in cities
He said under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, we have included 44 more cities under the scope of State Water Action Plan-II to increase the supply of drinking water in cities. The projects for these cities include provision to address the problem of non-revenue water.
It is proposed to assess the amount of non-revenue water and take appropriate measures to reduce losses by creating district metering areas in our state and installing bulk/flow meters, which are mainly caused by leakage in distribution systems and theft of water.
Cooperation of Self Help Groups in Amrit Mitra Scheme
Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said under Amrit Mitra, we have involved the services of women self help groups who are actively engaged in collection of water samples, leakage detection and repairing unclean connections. Work is already being done in 13 cities in Haryana under this scheme. Recently, the Government of India has approved 29 other cities under Amrit Mitra.
The expansion of these activities is a good sign for our state. He said we will achieve the goal of 'Water Safe State' by 2047 well in advance. We are doing everything possible for this purpose. The minister said we need to take measures in advance to protect and replenish depleting water resources so that people do not have to struggle.
He urged the Haryana Government to allow new works to strengthen and sustain water availability and also provide financial assistance in Jal Jeevan Mission extension. Along with this, he thanked Union Minister Sh. RR Patil for taking the initiative to organize national consultation with the states on an important issue like water sustainability and security.