Rajasthan News: Government’s Water Conservation Triumphs

Rajasthan has a long history of water scarcity, but it has set peaks in water conservation under a series of governments. The approach taken by the state to achieve excellent outcomes has involved a combination of large scale infrastructure, community engagement and technology, and has achieved long-term measurable impacts on the lives of people in urban and rural areas.

'वंदे गंगा' जल संरक्षण-जन अभियान

हमारी सरकार ने पूरे राजस्थान में, पानी के लिए जो काम किए हैं, वो आपके सामने हैं, चा​हे वह राम जल सेतु लिंक परियोजना हो या यमुना जल समझौता हो।@bhajanlalbjp#VandeGanga #JalSankalp#आपणो_अग्रणी_राजस्थान pic.twitter.com/hzSHlVcJl9

— CMO Rajasthan (@RajCMO) June 5, 2025

Key Achievements

1. Ram Jal Setu Project: Under the leadership of Bhajanlal Sharma, the government's flagship Ram Jal Setu (Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project) aims to provide drinking and irrigation water to over 3.25 crore people in 17 districts. The project includes a complex of barrages, reservoirs and dams under which the Government has planned 4102 MCM of water for drinking, irrigation and industrial use. This project will disrupt the patterns of water management in Rajasthan and set the path for equitable distribution and guaranteed recharge of groundwater.

2. National recognition: Rajasthan was rated No. 1 in water conservation in India by NITI Aayog, having improved groundwater levels by 5 feet in 21 districts. The state also constructed 4 lakh water conservation structures, increased irrigation capacity by 81 percent. Through geo-tagging and drone-based survey processes, the state has introduced accountability and efficiency into the water management paradigm.
   

3. Award-winning Sustainable Practices: The National Water Mission earmarked Rajasthan for its initiation of micro-irrigation, notably for its contribution through the Narmada Canal Project and Tejpur Minor, which created the potential for expanded irrigation and improved the socio-economic conditions of farmers.

Community and technology driven solutions

The government’s Jal Swawlamban Abhiyaan mobilised local communities and engaged high-tech solutions, including drone surveys, to monitor progress. The intent of these measures also demonstrated an improvement in sustainability across the state by reducing tanker water distribution by 56%.

Looking ahead 

With ongoing development projects and strong commitment to sustainable water management, this nation-leading approach continues to inspire other states. The continued focus of the government to balance ecological requirements with the needs of development, ensures that the desert state stays resilient.

Rajasthan has taken water conservation to the national standard through the success of Ram Jal Setu and it has improved groundwater and water access for millions in the state. Rajasthan can truly be termed as the model for the nation.