Lok Sabha Question No. 1828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Disaster Proofing Measures
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Yaduveer Wadiyar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1828 ANSWERED ON 05.12.2024

## DISASTER PROOFING MEASURES

## 1828. SHRI YADUVEER WADIYAR:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the details on the measures being taken to ensure that Jal Jeevan Mission water supply schemes are resilient to the recent flood incidents in Kodagu; and

(b)  whether  there  are  disaster  proofing  measures  for  water  infrastructure  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal to enable every rural household in the country, to have assured potable water through tap connection. Drinking water is a State subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning,  approval,  implementation,  operation,  and  maintenance  of  drinking  water  supply schemes, including those under the Jal  Jeevan  Mission,  lies  with  State/UT  Governments.  The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance. As such the details of individual projects/ schemes for rural water supply are not maintained at Government of India level.

As informed by State Government of Karnataka, Kodagu district has a number of 'Single Village Schemes' (in-village works) under Jal Jeevan Mission, based on the reported ground water table and techno-economic feasibility.

The pressure filters and other minor infrastructures taken up under these Single Village Schemes (in-village works) are considered with 'Standard Codes' to enable adequate safety to structures, and are resilient to disasters like floods.

(b)  As  per  operational  guideline  of  Jal  Jeevan  Mission  (JJM),  following  measures  have  been outlined to protect water infrastructure from natural disasters as well as to address the challenges posed by floods in regions like Kodagu:

- i.) Infrastructure  Planning :  Selection  of  locations  for  water  supply  infrastructure  like treatment plants, reservoirs, and pipelines to avoid flood-prone, landslide-prone, and seismic areas. Anchoring pipelines securely to prevent washout during floods or mudflows.
- ii.) Compliance with Safety Standards : Ensuring all rural water supply systems comply with standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO).
- iii.) Community Engagement : Involving local communities in disaster planning and using their knowledge to identify vulnerabilities and optimize site selection for infrastructure.
- iv.) Disaster  Preparedness :  Developing  contingency  plans  with  identified  sustainable  water sources  and  rapid  response  mechanisms,  including  mobile  water  purification  plants  and emergency water supply kits.
- v.) Emergency Response Measures :  Deploying prepositioned  emergency  water supply kits and setting up mobile water purification units during disasters. Conducting water quality surveillance to monitor and prevent waterborne diseases.
- vi.) Post-Disaster  Reconstruction :  Prioritizing  the  restoration  of  damaged  water  supply systems with a focus on "build back better" principles to enhance resilience against future disasters.
- vii.) Utilization of JJM Fund : State can use 25% of JJM's annual allocation as flexi fund and also tap into the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for immediate recovery post natural disaster. States/ UTs are also advised to set aside at least 5% of the annual allocation under JJM to take care of unforeseen challenges/ issues arising out of natural disasters/ calamities and internal disturbances, which may be used by the State for coverage at the fag end of the financial year, if remain unutilized.
- viii.) Integration  of  Disaster  measures :  As  per  section  35  clause  2  (b)  of  The  Disaster Management Act, 2005, it is inter alia envisaged to ensure that disaster mitigation measures are incorporated into project designs and disaster resilience is a fundamental part of all new water infrastructure developments

As informed by State Government of Karnataka, there are no Multi- Village-Schemes (MVS) taken up in Kodagu district under Jal Jeevan Mission, which generally involve major structures like jackwell, aerator, clariflocculator, filter beds, chlorination unit, sedimentation tanks etc and which are generally more prone to disasters. The schemes proposed are based on the ground water, involving in-village pipe line networks, which are designed taking into consideration the soil strata and have resistance to cope with flood situations.

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