Lok Sabha Question No. 4434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Drinking Water Crisis in Maharashtra
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4434 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2025

## DRINKING WATER CRISIS IN MAHARASHTRA

4434. SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE: DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL: SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH: SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:

PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the serious drinking water crisis arising due to continuously depleting groundwater levels across various States, especially Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address this crisis, including measures for groundwater recharge, sustainable water management and improvement in drinking water supply infrastructure;

(c) the details of the funds allocated and utilised under various drinking water schemes in different districts of Maharashtra during the last five years and the current year, district-wise;

(d) whether the Government has assessed the need for any special intervention to ensure adequate availability of drinking water, especially in water-stressed and drought-prone regions and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has formulated/proposes to formulate any new schemes, policies or technological solutions to enhance drinking water security; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f)   Government of India is committed to the provision of safe and potable tap water supply in  adequate  quantity,  of  prescribed  quality  and  on  a  regular  &  long-term  basis  to  all  rural households in the country.

Government of India, in partnership with States/UTs including Maharashtra is implementing Jal Jeevan  Mission,  since  August,  2019,  to  make  provision  of  tap  water  supply  to  every  rural household  in  the  country.  JJM  follows  a  universal  saturation  approach  and  covers  all  rural households in the country. Under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation provides financial, policy guidance and technical assistance to the States and Union Territories for implementing their drinking water supply schemes.

Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water  resources  are  primarily  undertaken  by  the  respective  State  Governments.  Under  JJM, provisions have been made for drinking water source development/ strengthening/ augmentation; and infrastructure for bulk transfer of water, treatment and distribution systems in water deficit drought-prone and desert areas without dependable ground water sources, apart from creation of in-village water supply infrastructure. While allocating the fund to States/ UTs, 30% weightage is assigned for difficult terrains which inter alia include areas under Desert Development Programme (DDP) and Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), to prioritize the coverage in these areas.

To achieve drinking water security, every village has to prepare a 5-year Village Action Plan under Jal Jeevan Mission which inter alia includes augmentation and strengthening of drinking water sources  to  be  taken  up  in  convergence  with  other  schemes  at  village  level  viz.  MGNREGS, 15 th Finance Commission tied grants to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/ PRIs, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), State schemes, District Mineral Development Fund, CSR funds, community contribution, etc.

Significant progress has been made in the country since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August  2019,  only  3.23  Crore  (~17%)  rural  households  were  reported  to  have  tap  water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 24.03.2025, around 12.31 Crore additional rural  households  have  been  provided  with  tap  water  connections  under  JJM.  Thus,  as  on 24.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.54 Crore (80.26%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

Similarly, at the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, 48.44 lakh (33%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in Maharashtra. So far, as reported by the State as on 24.03.2025, around 82.37 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM during more than last five years. Thus, as on 24.03.2025, out of 146.80 lakh rural households in the Maharashtra, approximately 130.81 lakh (89.11%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

The important steps taken by the Central Government for sustainable ground water management and addressing water scarcity in the country may be seen at https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3a70dc40477bc2adceef4d2c90f47eb82/uploads/2024/07/2024071 6706354487.pdf.

The year-wise details of funds allocated, released and utilized by Maharashtra under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) during the last five years are as under:

(Amount in Rs. Crore)

|         | Central share   | Central share     | Central share           | Central share        | Central share        | Expenditure under State   |
|---------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|---------------------------|
| Year    | Opening Balance | Budget allocation | Fund drawn by the State | Total available fund | Reported utilization | share                     |
| 2019-20 | 248.12          | 847.97            | 345.28                  | 593.40               | 308.04               | 431.79                    |
| 2020-21 | 285.35          | 1828.92           | 457.23                  | 742.58               | 473.59               | 324.16                    |
| 2021-22 | 268.99          | 7,064.41          | 1,666.64                | 1,935.63             | 377.98               | 477.98                    |
| 2022-23 | 1,557.65        | 7,831.25          | 3,915.62                | 5,473.27             | 3,109.53             | 2,972.21                  |
| 2023-24 | 2,363.74        | 21,465.88         | 7,444.26                | 9,808.00             | 8,208.53             | 8,371.34                  |
| 2024-25 | 1,599.47        | 5,352.93          | 1,605.88                | 3,205.35             | 2,089.20             | 2,644.40                  |

District-wise  information  related  to  funds  allocated,  released  and  utilized  is  not  maintained centrally.

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