THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, JULY 20, 2026
Odisha's capital
Bhubaneswar has emerged as a model city in sustainable urban water management,
with its Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM) interventions under the AMRUT
programme significantly improving groundwater recharge while also helping
mitigate urban flooding through enhanced stormwater infiltration.
The achievement was
highlighted during a national interaction organised by the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban
Affairs (NIUA) under the nationwide 'Catch the Rain' campaign. The event
brought together representatives from 75 cities implementing the SAM programme
to review progress, exchange best practices and showcase successful groundwater
recharge initiatives aimed at strengthening urban water security.
During the
interaction, several cities shared encouraging outcomes of their SAM
interventions. While Bhubaneswar highlighted the dual benefits of groundwater
replenishment and flood mitigation, Nagpur announced plans to construct 100
additional recharge structures during the ongoing monsoon season. Vizianagaram
reported noticeable improvements in groundwater levels, and Korba revealed
plans to revive 95 more defunct borewells following the success of its recharge
initiatives.
The SAM programme is
helping participating cities enhance groundwater recharge through scientific
planning and technical support. As part of the initiative, 75 cities are
implementing a range of recharge measures, including recharge shafts, injection
wells, check dams, gabion walls, circular khals and modular recharge pits.
These interventions are contributing to sustainable rainwater harvesting,
aquifer replenishment and greater climate resilience in urban areas.
The national
interaction was chaired by MoHUA Additional Secretary D. Thara and moderated by
Joint Secretary Isha Kalia, with representatives from 75 Urban Local Bodies
sharing their implementation experiences, achievements, challenges and future
plans for expanding groundwater recharge efforts.
Groundwater experts participating in the programme stressed the importance of community participation and local stewardship to ensure the long-term sustainability of groundwater recharge initiatives.
The interaction reaffirmed MoHUA's commitment to promoting sustainable groundwater management under the AMRUT mission through scientific, nature-based and community-driven interventions, while advancing the objectives of the 'Catch the Rain' campaign to create water-secure and climate-resilient cities across the country.
