Parliament Question: Water Crisis in Uttar Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3281 ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026 WATER CRISIS IN UTTAR PRADESH †3281. SHRI ADITYA YADAV: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that several villages in Budaun district of Uttar Pradesh are still facing water crisis, irregular supply of tap water and water quality issues which are seriously affecting the health, agricultural production and daily life of approximately thirty five lakh people living in the district despite the ambitious targets and interventions of the Jal Jeevan Mission 2024-25 as detailed in the Annual Report 2024-25 of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to improve water supply infrastructure in the villages and towns, expand Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge programmes, conserve traditional water sources, ensure continuous monitoring of water quality and actively involve local communities for long-term sustainable water management in the said district; (c) if not, the reasons therefor, and (d) the measures taken by the Government for flood management, strengthening of irrigation facilities and coordination with State agencies to protect water resources for agricultural and domestic use? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) to (c) Government of India is committed to make provision for safe & potable tap water supply in adequate quantity (55 lpcd), of prescribed quality and on a regular & long-term basis to all rural households in the country. Towards this end, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to be implemented in partnership with States/ UTs in August 2019. 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 JJM, lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Page 1 of 3State of Uttar Pradesh has informed that presently, regular water supply is being provided to 870 revenue villages out of 1446 villages of the Budaun district. No water quality issues have been faced under JJM in the district Budaun. Water quality tests are done regularly to ensure clear and safe drinking water to the villages. Further, State has informed that steps have been taken under JJM to improve ground water level included 220 Nos. of rainwater recharge structures have been constructed and additional 646 Nos of rainwater recharge units are proposed to be constructed. Under JJM, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. While planning water supply schemes under JJM to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants. As per the Operational Guidelines, States/ UTs can utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation of funds under JJM for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQM&S) activities, inter-alia, which includes strengthening of water quality testing laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals, glassware, consumables, hiring of skilled manpower, surveillance by community using field test kits (FTKs), awareness generation, educational programmes on water quality, accreditation/recognition of laboratories, etc. Under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) launched in the year 2015 in selected 500 cities (now 485 cities including 15 merged cities) and towns across the country was focused on development of basic infrastructure, in the selected cities and towns, in the sectors of water supply; sewerage and septage management; storm water drainage; green spaces and parks; and non-motorized urban transport. AMRUT 2.0 is launched in the year 2021 in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ cities, enabling the cities to become 'self-reliant' and 'water secure'. Under AMRUT 2.0, 10 projects worth ₹288.3 crore approved in Budaun district which include 07 water supply projects worth ₹283 crore and 03 water body rejuvenation projects worth ₹5.3 crore. Approved projects cover 1.16 lakh new/service water tap connections. Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country including Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh are being assessed every year from 2022 jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and State Governments. The assessment of groundwater resources involves estimation of Total Annual Ground Water Recharge, Annual Extractable Ground Water Resource and Annual Ground Water Extraction for all purposes Further, out of the total 15 assessment units (Blocks) in Badaun district, 02 (13.33%) units have been categorized as ‘Over- exploited’ indicating ground water extraction exceeding the annually replenishable ground water recharge. The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) in 2019 as a time-bound, mission-mode water conservation campaign in 256 water-stressed districts across the country. The 6th edition of JSA: CTR was launched on 22nd March 2025 with the theme “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari: Jan Jagrukta Ki Or”. To further strengthen JSA: CTR, "Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" (JSJB) initiative, launched in Surat, Gujarat on 6th September 2024, focuses on intensifying community action and mobilization to build low-cost rainwater harvesting structures in low cost and saturation mode. Under JSJB 1.0, an impressive 27.62 lakh artificial groundwater recharge and storage works were taken up, with a remarkable 23.83 lakh already completed by 31st May 2025 marking a Page 2 of 3milestone in India’s water conservation movement. As on 09.03.2026 a cumulative of more than 4.4 million artificial groundwater recharge and storage works are reported under JSJB (d) Various measures have been taken by the Government for flood management, strengthening of irrigation facilities and coordination with State agencies to protect water resources for agriculture and domestic use across the country which are as follows- • Flood management and anti-erosion projects are formulated and implemented by concerned State Governments as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical guidance and promotional, financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas. Union Government is implementing a centrally sponsored "Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)" for providing central assistance to States for works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development, anti- sea erosion, etc. • Government of India launched “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)” in Financial Year 2015-16 with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices etc. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) is one of the components of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). • Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire mappable area of Badaun district which is about 4237.88 sq. km. The Aquifer maps and management plans have been prepared and shared with the respective State agencies for implementation. Under NAQUIM studies for Badaun district, various supply and demand side management interventions have been proposed. • CGWB has prepared a Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater- 2020 in consultation with States/UTs which is a macro level plan indicating various structures for the different terrain conditions including district of Badaun. • Ministry has circulated a Model Bill to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact suitable ground water legislation for regulation of its development. The model bill envisages that in urban areas, rain water available from roof tops of buildings and other open areas can be utilized gainfully for ground water recharge. • National Water Policy (2012) has been formulated by Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, inter-alia advocates rainwater harvesting and conservation of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through direct use of rainfall. ***** Page 3 of 3