The Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen sustainable groundwater management and will be implemented with the support of the World Bank.
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the implementation of the Rs 6,000 crore Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) aimed at improving groundwater management. The scheme was announced on the eve of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary. This central sector scheme will be implemented over a period of five years (2026-27 to 2030-35) and aims to improve groundwater management through community participation in identified priority areas of seven states including Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 8,350 gram panchayats in 78 districts of these states, an official statement said. The scheme will promote panchayat-led groundwater management and behavior change, with a primary focus on demand-side management.
Of the total expenditure of ₹6,000 crore, 50 percent will be funded through a World Bank loan, reimbursed by the central government. The remaining 50 percent will be provided through central assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire amount of the World Bank loan and central assistance will be disbursed to the states as grants.
The scheme includes two key components to strengthen institutional mechanisms for sustainable groundwater management in states, including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, and strengthening water user associations.
It will also include an incentive component to encourage states to improve groundwater management practices, such as dissemination of data, preparation of water security plans, implementation of management interventions through convergence of ongoing schemes, and adoption of demand-side management practices.