Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
- The Chief Minister called for making water conservation a part of daily routine, protecting water structures, and adopting a responsible approach towards water.
- Chief Minister Sai and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil jointly chaired a thorough review of the implementation of the “Water Conservation – Public Participation 2.0” campaign.
- The Union Jal Shakti Minister commended the work and innovations being done in the field of water conservation in Chhattisgarh.
- The target of 10 lakh water structures by May 31st will provide a new foundation for water security.
- Construction of ponds will increase groundwater levels, providing additional benefits to farmers.
Raipur: A meeting jointly chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil held on Friday February 20, 2026 at the Chief Minister’s residence office in Nava Raipur, conducted a thorough review of the implementation of the “Water Conservation – Public Participation 2.0” campaign in the state.
Union Minister Patil joined and virtually addressed the meeting. During convention, the collectors of Bilaspur, Durg, and Surajpur districts presented detailed information about the works and activities conducted under the campaign in their respective districts.
Chief Minister Sai stated that water scarcity has become not only a serious environmental challenge of the 21st century, but also an economic, social, and developmental challenge.
He emphasised that public participation is essential for sustainable and effective water conservation. He cited the message of the country’s illustrious Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasised the importance of adopting a sensitive and responsible approach to water, treating its use as a prasad (blessing). The Chief Minister stated that, inspired by the Prime Minister’s guidance, the state government is committed to transforming water conservation into a mass movement, the CM added.
Chief Minister Sai stated that in the first phase of the campaign, Chhattisgarh secured second place nationwide, and various districts also received awards in various categories. In the first phase, large-scale structures such as borewell recharge, rooftop rainwater harvesting, recharge shafts, soak pits, and openwell recharge were constructed using a community-based model.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that five critical and 21 semi-critical groundwater blocks have currently been identified in the state. Five of these blocks have recorded a decrease in groundwater extraction and an improvement in groundwater levels in 2025 compared to 2024, indicating positive results from water conservation efforts, he noted .
Chief Minister Sai stated that under the second phase of the campaign, “Water Conservation – Public Participation 2.0,” a technology-based and more result-oriented strategy is being adopted. The state government has set a target of constructing 1 million water conservation structures by May 31, 2026.
The Chief Minister described this as a historic step towards water security for the state. He stated that as part of a special initiative to mark the state’s Silver Jubilee year, more than four lakh farmers with more than 10 acres of land are being encouraged to construct ponds on their farms. The district administration and industrial groups are also being involved in this effort. These ponds will increase groundwater levels and provide additional facilities like irrigation and fish farming to farmers.
The Chief Minister said that in the second phase, special attention will be given to geotagging all water structures, water budgets for Gram Panchayats, and the development of water security plans. Additionally, youth in villages will be trained as “Jal Mitra” to accelerate the campaign.
The Chief Minister clarified that with a special focus on critical and semi-critical blocks, a target of 40 percent water conservation work has been set in semi-critical blocks and 65 percent in critical blocks. He also called on the people of the state to make water conservation a part of their daily routine, protect water structures, and adopt a responsible approach towards water.
Union Water Power Minister C.R. Patil praised the work and innovations being done in the field of water conservation in Chhattisgarh. He said that last year, Chhattisgarh ranked second in the country in water conservation efforts, which is a matter of pride for the state. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan” (Water Conservation Public Participation Campaign) from Surat in September 2024 and called for “cooperation in water conservation from the land of work to the motherland.” The campaign aims to transform water conservation into a mass movement.
Union Minister Patil urged all collectors in the state to ensure the full and effective utilisation of funds received for water conservation works under MNREGA. During his visit to Rajnandgaon, he praised the remarkable work done by a woman Sarpanch for water conservation through her own efforts. He also emphasised the need to increase widespread public participation in water conservation.
The meeting was attended virtually by the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary, Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, Secretary of the Jal Shakti Ministry, Government of India, and Kantarao.
All the collectors of Chhattisgarh were also present on the occasion .
