Mann ki Baat Turns 10, Water Still a Crisis in many parts of India

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates the 10th anniversary of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the much-praised water conservation initiatives under his leadership face scrutiny. Despite numerous local campaigns, including efforts in Uttarkashi’s Jhala village and Bundelkhand, key water-stressed areas remain mired in crisis, raising doubts about the long-term success of these drives.

While PM Modi highlighted efforts such as the Dhanyavaad Prakriti cleanliness drive in Uttarkashi and the revival of the Ghurari river in Bundelkhand, the broader picture shows that water shortages persist. Data from the Central Water Commission reveals that regions like Bundelkhand still face a 65% deficit in water availability, with groundwater levels depleting rapidly despite the government’s initiatives.

The Swachh Bharat campaign, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has made some progress in terms of sanitation and cleanliness. However, localised victories in water conservation, such as the regeneration of a pond in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, fail to address the deeper, systemic issues of water mismanagement and inefficient irrigation. Critics argue that the Modi government’s approach to water conservation lacks the scale and consistency required to bring meaningful change. Sustainability remains a concern, with many regions continuing to suffer from erratic rainfall, depleting water resources, and the absence of large-scale infrastructure reforms. Without addressing these critical issues, India’s water crisis is likely to worsen in the coming years.