Centre to Incentivise States for Efficient Water Reuse Under ‘Jal hi Amrit’ Initiative

The Indian government is set to launch the ‘Jal hi Amrit’ initiative to incentivize states and Union territories to promote efficient water reuse, addressing the common issue of water shortages in cities. The program will reward urban local bodies based on the performance of sewage treatment plants (STPs) under a clean water credit system. With only 61.4% of urban households having piped water supply, the initiative aims to create a competitive environment for better urban water management practices.

The central government is set to incentivise states and Union territories to promote the efficient reuse of water under the "Jal hi Amrit" initiative. This program is part of the AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) mission, which was introduced as part of the 100-day agenda of the Modi 3.0 government. The initiative aims to address water shortages in Indian cities by encouraging competition among cities to meet environmental standards for treated water on a sustained basis.

A total of 140 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a combined capacity of 5,000 million liters per day (MLD) have already been integrated into the program. STPs will be rewarded based on their performance under a clean water credit system, valid for six months. The rewards will vary based on the size and rating of the STP, with the highest reward being ₹8 crore for plants of 100 MLD or more that achieve a five-star rating, while the lowest reward of ₹0.25 crore will go to plants with less than 5 MLD and a three-star rating.

Officials said that urban local bodies, such as the Delhi Jal Board, will input data via an online module, followed by third-party verification. The Union ministry of housing and urban affairs will also conduct gap analyses and offer targeted training programs based on assessments.

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India’s urban water supply is often insufficient, with most cities receiving water for only 6–8 hours a day. According to a 2020 study, women and children in urban slums spend an average of 44 minutes daily collecting water. Experts believe that efficient water reuse can help address these shortages, especially during the summer months.