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Water Supply

Water Sector Scenario in Gujarat

 
Water is a critical resource for Gujarat. In the past, water resources, constraints has often been perceived to be a impediment to growth and the State accordingly accords highest priority to investments in the water sector.
 
A well thought out water policy is therefore of the highest importance to the State. The policy should take into consideration, on the one hand, the need for the State to exert control over the sector due to its strategic and politically sensitive nature; and on the other hand, mobilised massive resource requirement for the sector, through appropriate private investments.
 
A well thought out water policy is therefore of the highest importance to the State. The policy should take into consideration, on the one hand, the need for the State to exert control over the sector due to Sensitivity and on the other hand, mobilise massive resource requirement for the sector, through appropriate private investments.
 
Traditionally, for the purposes of planning in the State of Gujarat, four different segments are considered separately for the water sector :
  • Bulk water supply schemes
  • Water supply schemes for rural and smaller urban areas.
  • Water supply schemes for larger urban areas, implemented by Municipal Corporations
  • Supply of water to large industrial users and industrial estates by GIDC
The implementing and administrative agencies of these segments are different. However, at planning and policy formulation stage entire water resource of the state and its management is considered in an integrated way while approaching real challenges and to set priorities.
 
There are only three perennial rivers flowing through Gujarat viz. Narmada, Tapi and Mahi, all of which are located in South Gujarat. There is a major non-perennial river, Sabarmati that flows through the districts of Sabarkantha, Mehsana and Ahmedabad.
 
The rainfall pattern is erratic, and this has made certain areas of the state extremely susceptible to drought conditions. This is exacerbated by the very specific and peculiar geological and geohydrological situation like rocky terrain, desert region, a 1600 Km long coastline and deteriorating ground water quality.
 
The state has faced at least 3 drought years in the last 10 years. The worst affected regions are the districts in the Saurashtra and Kutchch regions of the state, which have no perennial river flowing through the area, nor do they have any sustainable ground water source. During the drought affected years, the Government has to incur large sums of money to provide drinking water to the affected areas through tankers. This is a temporary and costly solution, options have to be affordable
 
Given this background, it is clear that providing drinking water on a sustainable basis to the rural and urban masses of the people of Gujarat is an issue of major concern to the Government. There is an urgent need to implement integrated water supply schemes, which would provide long-term solution to the water problem
 
Institutional Structure of Water Sector in Gujarat
 
Agency Jurisdiction Role
Administration and regulation
Department of Narmada, Water Resources, & Water Supplies State level
  • Regulatory oversight of the water sector in the State Oversight of State government owned corporations involved in the
  •  Implementation and operation of water schemes.
Department of Urban Development State level
  •  Oversight of urban local bodies, excluding corporations, in matters of financial, planning and management issues.
  • Regulation of political and administrative appointments in the local authorities.
Municipal Corporations Major cities
  • Provision of retail water supply services for domestic and industrial purposes in the area of their jurisdiction
Municipalities & Nagar Palikas Smaller Cities
  • Provision of retail water supply services for domestic and industrial purposes in the area of their jurisdiction.
Gram Panchayats Villages
  • Provision of retail water supply services for domestic and industrial purposes in the area of their jurisdiction.
Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation State level Provision of retail water supply services in industrial estates owned by GIDC.
Implementation and Operation
Gujarat Water Supply  and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) State level
  • Mainly Implementing water supply and sewerage schemes for urban local bodies.
  •  Operation of some schemes.
  • Inspection of schemes where State government fund is provided.
Gujarat State Drinking Water Company Limited  
  • Bulk transmission and bulk supply of drinking water to local bodies, GWSSB, and Industrial estates.
Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. State level
  • Wholesale supply of water.
Department of Narmada, Water Resources, and Water Supplies State level
  • Operation and maintenance of some river schemes like the Ukal Dam.

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