Groundwater Conservation Mission Will Be a Milestone in Water Preservation – Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Raipur, May 20

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today launched the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Groundwater Conservation Mission (Urban). Under this initiative, comprehensive efforts for the conservation and replenishment of groundwater and rainwater will be carried out across all urban local bodies of the state in a mission-driven mode. The launch event, organized by the Department of Urban Administration and Development, was held at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, where the Chief Minister unveiled the mission’s brochure and launched an introductory video.

On the occasion, CM Sai also handed out compassionate appointment letters to the family members of 18 employees who passed away while in service in nine urban bodies.

Prominent attendees included Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Urban Administration and Development Shri Arun Sao, Minister for Water Resources and Raipur District In-Charge Shri Kedar Kashyap, MLAs Shri Rajesh Munat, Sunil Soni, Motilal Sahu, Purandar Mishra, Guru Khushwant Saheb, and Indra Kumar Sahu; Mayor of Raipur Municipal Corporation Mrs. Meenal Chaubey; and renowned water conservationist “Waterman” Shri Rajendra Singh.

A workshop was also held during the launch, where hydrologists, colonizers, industry groups, and officials from the Forest Department, Public Works Department, Public Health Engineering Department, and Water Resources Department discussed methods and outcomes of water conservation. Deputy CM Shri Arun Sao and “Waterman” Shri Rajendra Singh shared their insights and answered participant questions. A team from the Surat Municipal Corporation in Gujarat shared their rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge efforts.

Chief Minister’s Address

In his address, CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated that “Life is unimaginable without water. Concerned about water availability, the Urban Administration Department is launching this ambitious mission. I commend Deputy CM Arun Sao and his department for this initiative. I believe this mission will become a milestone in conserving rainwater and groundwater.”

He mentioned that various water conservation efforts are already underway across the state. In rural areas, the “Mor Gaon Mor Pani” campaign is being implemented with community participation. Both urban and rural initiatives share the common goal of water preservation. Referring to PM Narendra Modi’s call for creating “Amrit Sarovars,” he noted that new ponds are being built and old ones revived nationwide. “If we are not conscious and careful about water now, the future will be difficult,” he warned.

Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao’s Remarks

Deputy CM Shri Arun Sao shared that experts engaged in a four-hour-long discussion on rainwater harvesting, conservation, and groundwater recharge. He noted that valuable guidance was received from “Waterman” Shri Rajendra Singh and Surat Municipal Corporation officials. He highlighted suggestions such as incorporating water conservation topics into school curriculums and aligning crop patterns with rainfall trends.

He emphasized that this mission is being launched in anticipation of future challenges in urban water supply, and that with sufficient rainfall in Chhattisgarh, careful storage and management can help resolve water issues.

Water Resources Minister’s Statement

Water Resources Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap expressed optimism that exemplary work will be accomplished under the mission. He stated that under CM Sai’s leadership and with public participation, Chhattisgarh has earned national recognition in water conservation. He stressed the importance of recharging and restoring water sources, and affirmed his department’s commitment to the cause.