Odisha's Groundwater Revival Initiative Under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari
The Ministry of Jal Shakti reported on Odisha's comprehensive groundwater conservation program that captures monsoon rainfall through scientific interventions and community participation. The initiative operates under two main schemes: the ARUA Scheme for constructing recharge shafts in ponds and water bodies, and the CHHATA Scheme for installing rooftop rainwater harvesting systems on institutional buildings.
In Jajpur district, between 2022-23 and 2025-26, the program constructed 117 recharge shafts under ARUA and installed 114 rooftop systems under CHHATA across government institutions and educational campuses. These were strategically implemented in high-priority blocks including Korei, Binjharpur, Bari, Rasulpur, Dasarathpur and Jajpur. The district established a robust monitoring network with 47 Digital Water Level Recorder stations and 72 observation wells to track groundwater conditions.
Cuttack district implemented 57 rooftop rainwater harvesting systems under CHHATA and constructed 35 recharge shafts under ARUA Scheme. The district's groundwater monitoring framework consists of 66 automated monitoring stations and 100 observation wells. Groundwater Resource Assessment data indicate the district maintained a stable groundwater regime with the Stage of Groundwater Extraction remaining around 47% between 2024 and 2025.
In Digapahandi urban area of Ganjam district, which had experienced groundwater declines of 1-3 meters between 2020-2022, rooftop systems were installed under CHHATA Scheme on government offices, schools and public institutions. Comparative assessments show improved post-monsoon recovery, reduced seasonal fluctuations, and emergence of localized recharge zones around intervention sites.
The program emphasizes community participation through extensive Information, Education and Communication activities including street plays, awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops engaging Self-Help Groups, students, Panchayati Raj Institutions and local communities. Benefits documented include strengthened drinking water security, supported agricultural resilience, and reduced water collection burden on households, particularly women.