25 lakh homes in Gujarat don’t have piped water: Government

GANDHINAGAR: According to Gujarat government estimates, around 25 lakh households in the state do not have access to piped water. Data published by the 2011 census, however, had stated there were 15.6 lakh households in Gujarat without piped water supply.
The central government has announced the ‘Nal se Jal’ project across the country, which aims to provide tap water to all households in the next five years. However, state government estimates show a steep increase in the number of households without piped water connections. A significant rise in population over the past decade is said to be the cause of this increase. Government officials said a comprehensive survey will be carried out across the state to ascertain the number of households that do not have access to piped drinking water.
The survey is expected to begin from next week.
“We will cover both urban and rural areas. The survey will also list the source of water like groundwater, lakes or local bodies like panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations. On the basis of the report, a detailed action plan to provide piped drinking water to all will be drawn up,” an official said.
Chief minister Vijay Rupani had recently expressed confidence of supplying potable tap water to 100% homes in the state by 2022. Speaking at the valedictory function of the three-day workshop on ‘Nal se Jal’ organized by the state water supply department, he had said that an action plan will be made to achieve this goal in Gujarat ahead of the PM’s announcement of supplying piped drinking water to all by 2024.