17% of cities, towns face water shortage: Centre

NEW DELHI: 17 per cent of cities and towns in India is facing water shortage, according to a list prepared by the central government. Among the states, Tamil Nadu has maximum number of such urban areas followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. All the four municipal areas in Delhi including the posh NDMC zone have been included in the list of 756 “water stressed” urban areas out of total 4,378, which are governed by the municipal bodies. 
All urban areas surrounding the national capital such as Ghaziabad, Noida and Faridabad have been facing similar water shortage. 
According to the list, Punjab and Haryana have high number of municipal areas where water availability is less because of amplified extraction of ground water for irrigation.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has come out with the names of cities and towns on the lines of Ministry of Jal Shakti, which has identified 255 districts and 1,597 blocks as water stressed. The MoHUA has also prepared a plan to undertake campaign and activities for water conservation, recycle and reuse of grey water.

Central government teams have started visiting the designated districts in rural areas already. The Centre has directed states and urban local bodies (ULBs) to initiate focused activities in two phases – July 1 to September 15 and October 1 to November 30.

It has distributed a template for effective watching of the activities and performance on application of rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of water bodies, reuse of treated wastewater and plantation. According the MoHUA, “The progress needs to be monitored on a real-time basis to ascertain the progress of ULBs and gaps therein each of the thrust areas under Jal Shakti Abhiyan.”

It has also suggested all the ULBs to establish a cell for effective monitoring of rainwater harvesting and revival of at least one water body in their respective areas. The “Rainwater Harvesting Cell” will monitor the extent of groundwater extraction and groundwater aquifer recharge. Moreover, they will have to display the information at prominent locations for public awareness

The ministry asked ULBs to make sure all new building permissions must have rainwater-harvesting structures fused as per building by-laws and its agreement should be checked before issuing occupancy-cum-completion certificate.