Tracking every drop: Jal Jeevan Mission introduces digital registry for rural water schemes
Jal Shakti Ministry launches digital system for rural water transparency
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is set to roll out an upgraded Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes (RPWSS) module to significantly enhance monitoring, transparency, and accountability of rural drinking water services under the Jal Jeevan Mission. This move represents a major digital transformation in rural water governance. The core of this system is the introduction of unique RPWSS IDs, which will provide every rural piped water scheme with a traceable digital identity, effectively creating a comprehensive digital registry of these vital assets.
The new system is designed to enable real-time tracking, geo-tagging, and data-driven monitoring of water infrastructure, making the operation and maintenance of schemes more efficient and transparent. Crucially, the upgraded platform will build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for water management by creating a GIS-based asset registry linked via the PM Gati Shakti platform. This registry will provide end-to-end visibility of water supply networks, connecting sources, treatment plants, pipelines, and household connections.
This initiative aims to empower local bodies by providing Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) with real-time, verified data to monitor system functionality and water quality, thus enabling better grassroots decision-making. Officials are urging states and Union Territories to complete the creation of RPWSS IDs by November 2025 to ensure comprehensive coverage. Beyond improving service delivery, the platform is expected to generate new local livelihood opportunities in data management and asset mapping across rural areas. (Business Standard)
Water bill clearance now mandatory for property registration in Delhi
The Delhi government has announced a major policy change, making clearance of all outstanding water bills mandatory for property registration. This step is designed to tackle over Rs. 16,000 crores in accumulated water bill dues and stop the practice of carrying forward unpaid water meter charges indefinitely during property transfers.
The new policy aims to improve compliance, boost the Delhi Jal Board (DJB)'s revenue, and ensure accountability from both property buyers and sellers. By linking a clear bill history to legal ownership transfer, the government is closing a major loophole.
Crucially, an amnesty scheme will precede the new rule. Expected this month, the scheme will waive 100% of the Late Payment Surcharges (LPSC) on water bills for domestic and government users. LPSC makes up the vast majority (Rs. 11,069 crore) of the outstanding amount. The amnesty will run from November until March 31, 2026. This allows residents to clear the principal dues with a clean slate before the full enforcement of the registration policy. (The Times of India)
Uttarakhand adopts central water policy, hefty fines for pollution
Uttarakhand has officially adopted the Central Government's Water Policy 2024 to strictly regulate water usage and curb pollution. This move follows repeated warnings from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) about rising pollution in the state's rivers and industrial areas.
The revised policy aims to make pollution control more transparent and effective, especially for industrial units. It replaces criminal prosecution for minor cases with stiff financial penalties for violations of water usage or pollution norms.
The new rules impose hefty fines. Minor offenses will be penalized between 5,000 and 10,000, while serious offenses can incur penalties up to Rs. 15 lakhs. Failure to pay can result in double the penalty or up to three years of imprisonment. An Adjudicating Officer (Joint Secretary rank or above) will decide on cases of violation. Those penalized can appeal to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) but must deposit 10% of the fine upfront. This framework is expected to significantly improve accountability and monitoring among industrial units. (ETV Bharat)
Bihar's draft policy targets 0.25 MTPA green hydrogen by 2030
The Bihar Government has issued its Draft Green Hydrogen Policy 2025, setting an ambitious target to achieve a production capacity of 0.25 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen and green ammonia by 2030. The policy focuses on creating an entire value chain, initially emphasizing consumption in the state's nitrogenous fertilizer and refinery industries before expanding to other emerging sectors, in alignment with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
To attract investment, the policy offers substantial incentives, including 100% reimbursement of the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) paid on materials for green hydrogen projects for five years. Furthermore, developers will benefit from complete reimbursement of stamp duty and registration fees on industrial land leases/transfers (first time only), and conversion fees. The policy also grants these projects "White Category Status," exempting them from obtaining consent/no objection certificates from the Bihar Pollution Control Board.
The Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) will serve as the nodal agency, providing a single-window clearance facility for new projects and fast-track approvals for various clearances. BREDA will also be responsible for developing a green hydrogen hub, allocating government land, planning water resources, and facilitating the expansion of power transmission infrastructure to support the growth of the green hydrogen and ammonia production ecosystem. (MERCOM)
NGT demands detailed water quality data for Ganga’s West Bengal stretch
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a detailed report with primary data on the water quality of the Ganga river's West Bengal segment. This directive, issued on October 8, 2025, by the NGT's Principal Bench, addresses concerns about severe bacteriological pollution. The CPCB must disclose, within four weeks, detailed data on indicators like E. coli and various coliforms, crucial for assessing contamination. The West Bengal government has sought six more weeks to submit its own detailed report.
This move underscores the alarming state of the river's water quality in its end stretch. Environmentalists, including activist Subhas Datta, attribute the deterioration to factors like untreated drainage and sewage water, industrial pollutants, and inadequate dredging. Datta highlighted that many STPs in the state are non-operational or defunct, with major cities like Kolkata and Howrah being significant polluters.
A CPCB report submitted to the NGT confirmed these deficiencies: out of 42 STPs in West Bengal's Ganga towns, 11 were found non-operational and 24 were non-complying with NGT norms. Furthermore, 14 STPs did not meet the treated sewage discharge norms of the Ministry of Environment. These findings reinforce the necessity of the NGT's demand for comprehensive water quality data before the next hearing on November 28. (The Hindu)
This is a roundup of policy updates from October 1, 2025 to October 15, 2025. Read our news updates here