Maharashtra, Gujarat & Andhra Pradesh adjudged top 3 states in Water Management

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation & Road Transport and Highways & Shipping Nitin Gadkari on February 25, 2019, distributed 82 National Water Awards in 14 categories jointly with Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal and Secretary U P Singh in New Delhi.

Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said that India does not have shortage of water rather the management of water is not adequate. He said that a need to institute national level water awards spanning all sectors was strongly felt to encourage people to play their respective roles in conservation of water. Gadkari said that a new vision for entire water resource sector is required and National Water Awards is a good step in this direction.

Listing some of the steps which have been taken for effective management of water in India, Gadkari said that 400 MLD water from Okhla barrage will be treated and will be used for Delhi through Wazirabad barrage. Apart from this, he added, that many projects have been completed under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMSKY). He said that preference is being given to piped irrigation instead of canal irrigation to conserve water and existing canals are also being concretised to avoid wastage of water.

On Clean Ganga Mission, he said that during Kumbh Mela the water was both Nirmal and Aviral and people of India enjoyed the cleanliness. The sighting of dolphins, turtles and birds in Ganga shows that the water quality of the river has improved. While congratulating all the winners and participants, Gadkari sought people’s participation in making the issue of water conservation a public movement. He also acknowledged that groundwater recharge, rejuvenation of water bodies etc. are great challenges.

Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal expressed his happiness over National Water Awards which have been resumed after a gap of 12 years and said that this is a very big step to spread awareness about water conservation. While congratulating all the winners, Meghwal urged them to motivate as many people as they can in their respective areas to use water efficiently, according to a PIB release.

Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh were given first, second and third National Water Awards respectively in best state category.