Recently, the ‘Jal hi Amrit’ initiative has been launched under AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0) reforms.
About Jal hi Amrit (JHA)
- Background: Building on the success of AMRUT 1.0, this second phase aims to create “Water-Secure Cities”.
- JHA initiative aims:
- To incentivize States /UTs for efficient management of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), also termed Used Water Treatment Plants (UWTPs).
- To produce a continuous supply of high-quality treated water that meets environmental standards and supports sustainable water recycling practices
- To promote a circular economy of water by enabling reuse for various purposes like construction, industry, and irrigation.
- Purpose: To foster inter-city competition, build treatment facility capacities, and incentivize high-quality treated water discharge through systematic improvements.
- Strategy of rating-based incentives: UWTPs will be awarded Clean Water Credits through a Star Rating system. Incentives will be provided to urban local bodies (ULBs)/Parastatal agencies based on a comprehensive evaluation process.
- Rationale of JHA: Recycling and reusing treated used water are the cornerstones of ensuring sustainable management of water resources and reducing the stress on freshwater resources.
| About AMRUT | ||
| AMRUT 1.0 | AMRUT 2.0 | |
| Launch Year | 2015 | 2021 |
| Duration | 2015-2020 | 2020-2026 (5 years) |
| Coverage | 500 cities and towns | All statutory towns in the country |
| Focus areas | Water supply, sewerage and septage management, storm water drainage, green spaces and parks, non-motorized urban transport | Universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households in all the statutory towns in the country, coverage of sewerage/ septage management in 500 cities. |