All rural water supply schemes in Maharashtra to be shifted to solar energy, says CM Fadnavis

CM Devendra Fadnavis chairs a meeting on Rural Drinking Water Policy, at his official residence in Varsha, Mumbai, on Friday. PIC/X

Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed that all rural water supply schemes in the state be gradually shifted to solar energy in a phased manner to reduce rising electricity costs and ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in villages.

Chairing a Rural Drinking Water Policy review meeting held at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis said that a comprehensive solar energy policy should be prepared through the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency, taking into account factors such as water source availability, number of beneficiaries, pump capacity, and total electricity consumption of each scheme.

Fadnavis stressed that no rural water supply scheme in the state should be shut down due to pending electricity bills. He also instructed officials to ensure that all schemes are aligned with the Central Government norm of providing 55 litres of drinking water per person per day.

Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Gulabrao Patil and Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal were present at the meeting.

CM Fadnavis further directed the creation of taluka-level units for the management, repair and maintenance of rural. and independent water supply schemes. He said gram panchayats should be actively involved in these units and maintenance costs should be met through water tax collections. In areas with poor tax recovery, funds may be provided by local self-government bodies, added the CM.

He also called for a panel of approved agencies at the taluka level to handle repair and maintenance work. These agencies would be selected based on gram sabha resolutions to ensure timely upkeep of water infrastructure and prevent schemes from becoming defunct.

Focus on sustainable water sources, says CM Fadnavis

Emphasising sustainability of water sources, CM Fadnavis said new sources should not be repeatedly identified for the same schemes, and stressed that investments must be protected by strengthening existing sources. He stated that funds available under relevant government schemes should be utilised for source strengthening works.

During the meeting, senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department Parag Jain, made a presentation. Senior bureaucrats from finance, planning, and rural development departments were also present.

According to official data, solar systems have already been included in the estimates of 11,643 schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Across Maharashtra, installation of solar systems has been proposed for a total of 22,185 rural water supply schemes, marking a significant step towards renewable energy adoption in the sector.