Context:
The Indian Railways’ involvement in Mission Amrit Sarovar marks a strategic move to integrate water conservation efforts with infrastructure development. By leveraging railway construction activities to rejuvenate waterbodies, the initiative aims to enhance water security, promote environmental sustainability, and optimize resource utilization.
Understanding Mission Amrit Sarovar
a) Objectives
- Water conservation and rejuvenation: Address water scarcity by constructing or reviving 75 ponds per district.
- Strengthening groundwater levels: Improve surface and groundwater availability in drought-prone and water-stressed regions.
- Community participation (Jan Bhagidaari): Ensure public involvement for long-term sustainability.
- Climate resilience: Mitigate climate change impacts by enhancing water storage and recharge capacity.
b) Progress So Far
- Launched: April 2022.
- Ponds completed (as of October 2024): 68,000+.
- Phase 2 focus: Strengthening climate resilience and ensuring long-term water availability.
Role of Indian Railways in Mission Amrit Sarovar
a) Key Contributions
- Excavation & Desilting: Railways will dig or rejuvenate waterbodies in areas near railway lines.
- Identifying Suitable Sites: In collaboration with district authorities, potential pond locations will be selected near railway construction sites.
- Utilizing Excavated Material: The soil and material extracted during pond creation will be repurposed for railway embankments, reducing waste and cost.
- Coordination with the Rural Development Ministry: Ensuring efficient implementation by working in tandem with state and local governments.
b) Expected Impact
- Water Security Enhancement: Increased surface water storage capacity will boost irrigation, drinking water availability, and groundwater recharge.
- Cost-effective Infrastructure Development: Repurposing excavated soil for railway projects minimizes waste disposal costs and material procurement expenses.
- Community and Ecological Benefits:
- Improved rural livelihoods through better water access.
- Reduced soil erosion and enhanced ecological balance.
- Increased agricultural productivity in adjacent areas.
- Sustainability and Climate Adaptation:
- Supports climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Helps mitigate drought effects in vulnerable areas.
Challenges and Implementation Hurdles
a) Land and Site Identification Issues
- Availability of suitable land near railway sites might be limited.
- Potential conflicts over land usage between railway construction and water conservation needs.
b) Quality of Excavated Soil
- Not all excavated soil will be suitable for embankment construction.
- Additional processing may be needed, increasing logistics and operational costs.
c) Coordination Between Agencies
- Multiple stakeholders involved (Railways, Rural Development Ministry, State Governments, Local Communities) may create bureaucratic delays.
- Ensuring smooth collaboration and fund allocation is crucial.
d) Maintenance and Long-Term Sustainability
- Preventing pond encroachments and silt accumulation requires continuous monitoring and community engagement.
- Lack of regular desilting and maintenance mechanisms could reduce long-term effectiveness.
Policy and Strategic Recommendations
a) Strengthening Interagency Coordination
- Establish joint task forces between Railways, Rural Development Ministry, and State Governments for efficient execution.
- Digital monitoring systems to track site selection, excavation progress, and fund utilization.
b) Ensuring Soil Suitability Before Excavation
- Conduct preliminary geotechnical analysis to determine soil quality before excavation.
- Develop alternative usage strategies for excavated material unfit for embankments.
c) Community Involvement for Sustainable Maintenance
- Engage local stakeholders in pond maintenance and upkeep through village-level water committees.
- Introduce incentive-based models for community participation.
d) Periodic Impact Assessments
- Conduct regular water availability assessments to measure the effectiveness of rejuvenated ponds.
- Use satellite mapping and AI-driven analytics to monitor water retention and ecosystem restoration.
A Model for Infrastructure-Integrated Water Conservation
The Indian Railways’ role in Mission Amrit Sarovar represents a synergistic approach to combining water conservation with infrastructure development. While challenges such as land availability, soil suitability, and interagency coordination exist, strategic planning and community engagement can ensure long-term success.
Source: TH
