Jan Bhagidari Powers Groundwater Revival in Vizianagaram under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain

31 July 2026, Delhi: Inspired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's appeal in the 135th edition of Mann Ki Baat to sustain the momentum of "Catch the Rain", communities across the country have intensified efforts under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB:CTR) campaign. Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a compelling example of how Jan Bhagidari, coupled with scientific water management and convergence of government programmes, can significantly enhance groundwater recharge and strengthen long-term water security.

Under the Jaladhara Jalaharathi programme, implemented through convergence, the district undertook the restoration of traditional minor irrigation tanks and their feeder channels not merely to improve surface storage, but to revive natural recharge systems that replenish groundwater aquifers.

The district completed 8,973 water conservation works, including the rejuvenation of 6,424 Minor Irrigation tanks and 2,549 feeder channels, generating 1.28 crore person-days of employment while creating durable groundwater recharge assets.

Large-scale desilting and restoration removed nearly 109.9 lakh cubic metres of silt, cleared 82.48 lakh square metres of vegetation, and restored more than 2,090 kilometres of feeder channels, allowing rainwater to flow freely into tanks and recharge zones instead of being lost as runoff.

The interventions are expected to substantially improve groundwater availability across the district. The rejuvenated tank system is projected to create an additional storage potential of 0.70 TMC, while the restored feeder channels and tanks together are expected to contribute nearly 0.60 TMC of groundwater recharge, enhancing aquifer replenishment and improving the resilience of local water resources against recurring dry spells.

Recognising the importance of targeted groundwater management, the district prioritised 193 groundwater-deficit villages, where restoration works covered 596 feeder channels and 1,767 Minor Irrigation tanks. In addition, 94 cascade tank systems were rejuvenated to restore the natural hydrological connectivity between water bodies, improving infiltration and groundwater recharge across entire catchments.

The success of Vizianagaram demonstrates that sustainable groundwater management extends beyond engineering interventions, it depends on active public participation. Farmers, Gram Panchayats, local communities, frontline workers and district administration collectively revived traditional water bodies that had gradually lost their recharge capacity over time. Their participation reflects the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, transforming water conservation into a community-led movement.

As India continues the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain campaign, Vizianagaram stands as an inspiring model of how reviving traditional water bodies can replenish groundwater, improve climate resilience and secure water resources for future generations.

Echoing the Prime Minister's call to "Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls," the district has demonstrated that every restored tank, every rejuvenated feeder channel and every participating citizen contributes to building a water-secure India.