Lok Sabha Question No. 5472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Shortage of Drinking Water in Metro Cities
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5472

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 25, 2019 SHORTAGE OF DRINKING WATER IN METRO CITIES

No. 5472. SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be pleased  to state:

- (a)   whether any assessment has been made regarding the shortage of  the  drinking  water  in  the  metro  cities  of  the  country including Patna;
- (b)    if so, the details thereof, metro city-wise and the reasons for shortage of drinking water;
- (c)    whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any integrated comprehensive plan for adequate supply of water in metro cities and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)    whether the Union Government has received any proposals for seeking  central  assistance  from  the  State  Governments  in view of the shortage of water in their respective areas; and
- (e)        if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a)& (b): As per Central Ground Water Board, 18.7% of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including the metro cities of Patna, Chandigarh, Delhi, Pune, Indore, Nashik, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Agra, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad etc. are facing water crisis. The apparent reasons attributed to shortage of drinking water are rapid decline  in  ground  water  due  to  indiscriminate  extraction,  erratic monsoon and unauthorized development.

(c): Water supply is a State subject and it is the responsibility of the  States/ULBs  to  ensure  adequate  supply  of  water  in  the  cities. Government  of  India  augments  the  efforts  of  the  States/ULBs through its various flagship schemes.

Government  of  India  launched  Atal  Mission  for  Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) on 25 June, 2015 for providing basic amenities in 500 selected Mission cities in the country. Water supply to households is one of the thrust areas under the Mission. Out  of  the  total  approved  State  Annual  Action  Plans  (SAAPs)  of ₹77,640  crore  under  AMRUT,  ₹39,011  crore  has  been  allocated  to water supply sector.

Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Affairs  have  taken  additional measures aimed at water conservation like issuance of guidelines for Urban Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation  (URDPFI)  and  Model  Building  Bye-laws  (MBBL)  for the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities (UDA)  to  implement  rain  water  harvesting  and  take  other  water conservation measures. Central Public Works Department has also brought out a manual on 'Rain Water Harvesting & Conservation' in June, 2012 to augment groundwater levels.

Recently,  Jal  Shakti  Abhiyan  (JSA)  has  been  launched  by Government of India to intensify efforts for conservation, restoration, recharge and reuse of water through rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of water bodies andreuse of treated waste water  etc.Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  is  participating actively in the Abhiyanand has issued 'Guidelines for Urban Water Conservation' for the States/UTs.

(d) & (e): Selection,  appraisal,  approval  and  implementation  of projects  under  AMRUT  are  done  by  the  concerned  States/Union Territories (UTs). Government of India approves only SAAPs submitted by the States/UTs and releases Central Assistance as per Mission guidelines.

Under AMRUT, SAAPs for the entire Mission period (25 June, 2015 to 31 March, 2020) amounting to ₹77,640 crore, which include committed Central Assistance of ₹35,990 crore, have already been approved by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

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