The Indian government is expanding the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a program that helps improve groundwater levels, from seven states to five more. These new states include Bihar, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu. The government plans to spend ₹8,200 crores to help these states manage their water better.
The Department of Water Resources wants to turn this program into a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, meaning the national government would provide more support. They have already received approval for this plan, but they are still waiting for consent from a few states. Punjab has agreed, but responses from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana are yet to come.
Atal Bhujal Yojana started in April 2020 and covers many areas in Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. It helps 8,774 village councils in these regions, where water is running low. The program aims to improve groundwater by using better farming techniques and building structures like ponds and check dams.
So far, the program has helped raise groundwater levels in 813 village councils and 47 blocks across 26 districts. Its main goal is to manage groundwater sustainably, making sure that everyone has enough water now and in the future.
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