MoHUA steps up ‘Catchthe Rain’ campaign

NEW DELHI, JUL 14 (PTI): The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) said it is intensifying water conservation and groundwater recharge efforts across urban India under the AMRUT 2.0 mission, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to sustain the momentum of the ‘Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, When it Falls’ campaign.
In a statement, MoHUA said cities are implementing a range of initiatives focused on rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water body rejuvenation and sustainable water management to improve water security and strengthen climate resilience.
According to the ministry, the campaign has seen active participation from around 900 urban local bodies (ULBs) in 27 states and Union Territories. As part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan-Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0, undertaken in convergence with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, around 1.99 lakh recharge structures have been taken up by 79 municipal corporations, while another 73,036 recharge structures are being implemented across 738 ULBs to enhance groundwater recharge and urban water conservation.
The statement said that further strengthening these efforts, the Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) Programme is being implemented under AMRUT 2.0 to enhance groundwater recharge through scientific aquifer mapping and targeted interventions.
It cited examples from Burdwan in West Bengal and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, where recharge pits integrated with injection borewells are channelising rainwater into deeper aquifers.
In Itanagar, rooftop rainwater harvesting systems with storage facilities are supporting water conservation and groundwater replenishment, while Korba in Chhattisgarh and Warangal in Telangana have operationalised recharge structures before the arrival of the monsoon.
Under the water body rejuvenation component of AMRUT 2.0, nearly 1.21 lakh acres are being rejuvenated to improve water storage, enhance groundwater recharge and strengthen urban flood resilience.
Complementing these efforts, parks and green space projects spanning over 18,00 acres are being developed across urban India. These projects are enhancing environmental sustainability, supporting groundwater recharge, mitigating urban heat stress and improving the quality of life for citizens through the creation of accessible and vibrant public spaces.
Through these initiatives, MoHUA is contributing to the vision of ‘Catch the Rain – Where it Falls, when it Falls’, the statement added.