Making Water Resources more people-oriented: Vikhe

Mumbai Date 11:- Water Resources Department is an important department. All the systems , citizens , farmers and other elements are connected to this department. Therefore, through the activities to be implemented during the Water Management Action Fortnight, the Water Resources Department should be made more people-oriented and work on mission mode for the empowerment of the corporation , Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil gave instructions today.

The Water Resources Department will be celebrating ‘Water Management Action Fortnight’ from 15th to 30th April 2025. A meeting was held in the Ministry under the chairmanship of Water Resources Minister Vikhe-Patil regarding the organization of this fortnight. On this occasion, Water Resources (Vidarbha , Tapi , Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation) and Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan (via video conferencing) , Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department Deepak Kapoor , Secretary Sanjay Belsare , Chief Engineer Sanjeev Tatu were present. District Collectors and officials of the Water Resources Department participated in the meeting via video conferencing.

Minister Shri. Vikhe-Patil said, more emphasis should be placed on water management by implementing various activities for water literacy during this fortnight. A distinct identity of the department should be created through public-oriented programs, and public awareness activities should be implemented in this manner. It is very important for the irrigation system to remain flowing. Canal repairs , canal cleaning should be given priority during the water management action fortnight to prevent leakage from canals. Help from NGOs should be sought in this work.

If the canals remain clean and flowing, water will be used efficiently and water will be available to the last resort, which will enhance the image of the government among the public. The process of water management should be accelerated by involving the local administration and citizens in this work. Priority should also be given to removing encroachments on the canals.

New technology should be used to count the properties under the control of the Water Resources Department. These places should be registered on 7/12. An action plan should be made for this. Work should be done in the form of a campaign to remove encroachments on the places under the jurisdiction of the Water Resources Department. Water consumption should be determined according to the population ratio and an audit of water consumption should be done accordingly. Measures should be implemented at the municipal, municipal and sectoral levels to prevent water leakage.

Water Resources Minister Shri. Vikhe-Patil also gave instructions that priority should be given to training of officials and employees of the Water Resources Department , communication with farmers and water user organizations , recovery of outstanding water charges, participation of students in water management , prevention of unauthorized water use , and reuse of wastewater in the ‘Water Management Action Fortnight’.