Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a groundwater conservation scheme on the 95th birth anniversary of the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The groundwater conservation mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana or Atal Jal Yojana, is a project by the Central Government to improve the groundwater levels in seven states where people suffer from water scarcity issues.
The states where the scheme would be implemented are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
PM Modi said, “The Atal Jal Yojana is an important step in the direction of fulfilling the Jal Jeevan Mission of water for all by 2024.”
He also urged the citizens of India to use water judiciously as many states in India are undergoing a major water crisis.
According to the Government of India, 1,592 blocks in 256 districts face the problem of water shortage. Speaking about the water shortage, Mr. Modi said the water crisis is “worrying for us as a family, as a citizen and as a country; also it affects development.” Modi further added, “New India has to prepare us to deal with every situation of water crisis.”
The Jal Shakti (water power) Ministry is going to supervise the new groundwater conservation mission, launched on the 25th of December.
The Jal Jeevan Mission, announced by the BJP Government on the 15th of August, 2019, aims to provide drinking water to every rural household by 2024.
Madhukar Jaiveer Singh, member of Jaipur based non governmental organisation (NGO) Jal Adhikar Andolan, said, “Much will depend on how the scheme is implemented because the piped drinking water mission has been trailing targets set by the Centre.”
Besides the Atal Bhujal Yojana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Atal Tunnel, the longest mountain tunnel in Himachal Pradesh. The tunnel was named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India (1999-2004.)
On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “This is a gift to the people of Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of Vajpayee Ji’s birthday. The Atal Tunnel is a national tunnel of great importance both from the point of view of tourism and national security.”
Named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tunnel is an underground passage beneath Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh. It would be helpful for the public as it cuts the road distance between Leh in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
The Modi led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dedicated the tunnel to Atal Bihari Vajpayee because the decision to construct the tunnel was taken on the 3rd of June, 2000, under Vajpayee’s rule.
The 8.8 km long tunnel is the world’s longest one situated above an altitude of 3,000 metres. It took 19 years to complete the construction of the Atal Tunnel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the Atal Bhujal Yojana and the Atal Tunnel during an event organised at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.
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