Jaipur: In line with the goal of ‘Viksit Rajasthan 2047′, finance minister Diya Kumari in her Budget speech unveiled plans for a “Rajasthan State Water Policy”.“The govt will introduce a Rajasthan State Water Policy to improve drinking water access and ensure water availability for industrial units. The policy will include provisions related to drinking water, raw water, and treated water,” Kumari said.The finance minister also announced a Rs 6,800 crore proposal to expand tap water connections across rural and urban areas. She said Rs 3,500 crore will be utilised for projects under Amrut 2.0 in urban areas and the rest will be spent on projects under Jal Jeevan Mission for rural areas. To accelerate JJJM, over 14 lakh new water connections will be provided in rural areas, she said.“The scope of Chief Minister Jal Jeevan Mission Urban scheme has been expanded. A rapid action plan will be implemented to reduce industrial disparity in cities like Jhalawar, Bikaner, and Jodhpur,” Kumari stated.For improved supply from Bisalpur Dam to approximately 20 lakh people in Tonk district, including in Niwai, Todaraisingh, and Dungri, projects worth Rs 650 crore will be undertaken at Surajpura Water Treatment Plant and Pump House, she said. Mobile water testing laboratories will be deployed to strengthen water quality monitoring, she said.Kumari announced 88 irrigation projects worth Rs 11,300 crore, the primary being a Rs 5,900 crore project to divert water from Anas River during the monsoon to Som Kamala Amba River through an artificial reservoir and a feeder canal.“Another significant step has been taken towards bringing Yamuna water from the Hathinikund Barrage. The Budget includes a provision of Rs 32,000 crore to bring Yamuna water to Shekhawati region,” stated water resources department (WRD) minister Suresh Singh Rawat.
