Centre releases draft guidelines of piped water supply for disabled, elderly and vulnerable groups

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has prepared draft guidelines suggesting information for designing an accessible and inclusive piped water supply for persons with disabilities and other population groups with access challenges.

The features in the guidelines include baby-friendly water points (height, location, ease of access), hand rails or grab bars at drinking water points for those suffering from mobility issues, braille indication on taps, automatic sensors, and use of adequate colours or tonal contrast between walls for people with low vision or partial blindness.

The guidelines cover different facilities like the anganwadi centres, primary, secondary and residential schools, health and wellness centres, primary, community health centres, civil and district hospitals, panchayat offices and market places. (The Print)

CDRI gains the status of an independent international organization

Centre and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) have signed a headquarters agreement that enables the status of an 'Independent and International Legal Entity' for CDRI. The coalition was launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit as a partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions. The aim of CDRI is to promote the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks in support of sustainable development.

The recognition as an independent international organization will further enable the organization to fulfil its commitments and engagements on the resilience of infrastructure.

(Business Standard)

NMCG approves 13 projects, worth Rs 818 crores

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved 13 projects, at an estimated cost of around 818 crores, pertaining to geo-mapping, sewerage management, riverfront development and wetland conservation.

For scientific geo-mapping of the Ganga river and its tributaries, 3 projects have been approved in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. These projects include ‘Fluvial Geomorphology mapping of Hindon River Basin’ by NEER.

For sewerage management in the Ganga basin, 5 projects were approved in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Other than these, the projects also include riverfront development works for Badrinath in Uttarakhand, wetland conservation, Arth Ganga and refurbishment of gates of Belia Circular Canal in Kolkata. (The Print)

State Cabinet clears the Karnataka Water Policy 2022

For effective management of water resources in Karnataka, the State Cabinet has given its approval to the Karnataka Water Policy 2022. The policy has been revised to address the new challenges in the water sector, and new policy will shift its focus from increasing the water supply infrastructure to managing water within the available budget.

The policy calls for penalties for unwise use of water, restricting groundwater extraction, incentivising farmers to grow crops that use less water and harvesting flood water among several other measures.

Along with this, the policy also proposes to support industries to conserve water, increase water recycling and reduce discharge of polluted water into the environment. (The Hindu, Hindustan Times)

Safe drinking water in Himachal Pradesh: Centre signs $96.3 million loan with ADB

With an aim to provide safe drinking water and improve water supply and sanitation services in Himachal Pradesh, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has signed a $96.3-million loan agreement. The project envisages revamping of water supply infrastructure for efficient and improved service quality by connecting 75,800 rural households to the service.

Under the project, 48 groundwater wells, 80 surface water intake facilities, 109 water treatment plants, 117 pumping stations, and 3,000 km of water distribution pipelines will also be constructed.

Along with this, while implementing a pilot faecal sludge management programme in Sirmaur district, the project will also strengthen the capacity of the Jal Shakti Vibhag of the state government.  (Livemint)

This is a roundup of important policy matters from August 3-25, 2022. Also, read news this fortnight.