Rajasthan’s Vision 2047 focuses on achieving water security through improved governance, advanced technology, groundwater recharge, irrigation expansion and community participation. The roadmap promotes sustainable water management, equitable distribution and climate resilience to ensure long-term water availability for agriculture, households and industries.

Rajasthan, India's largest state, faces severe water scarcity, with per capita availability projected to drop to 450 cubic meters by 2050. Despite covering 10.41% of India's area, it has only 1.16% of the country's surface water.

The state is implementing Jal Shakti Abhiyan and MJSA 2.0 to ensure sustainable water management and source sustainability for drinking, agriculture and industrial use.

Rajasthan's surface water availability

25.38 BCM

Inter-State agreements allocate an additional

17.88 BCM of water

Thar Desert

covers two-third of the state, worsening water scarcity

Severe famine conditions occur due to

erratic monsoon patterns

Only two river basins,

Mahi and Chambal,

have excess water

Average annual rainfall

531 mm, nearly half of India's average

Non-agricultural water demand projected to rise to

8.07 BCM by 2045

Jal Jeevan Mission targets

100% household tap water coverage by 2028

Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA) 2.0

focuses on groundwater recharge

Rajasthan supports

18.70%

of India's livestock with limited water

VISION 2047

By 2047, Rajasthan will achieve water security through robust governance, sustainable conservation and equitable utilisation.

Ensuring availability, quality and resilience, the state will empower agriculture, communities and ecosystems, fostering long-term sustainability and prosperity while adapting to climate challenges for a water-secure and thriving Rajasthan.

Thrust Areas

Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Rawatbhata

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES (Center)

• INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
• WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE
• MANAGEMENT OF WATER SOURCES
• RECHARGE TECHNIQUE DEMONSTRATION
• WATER GOVERNANCE THROUGH REGULATORY REFORMS
• UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO 100% HOUSEHOLD IN JJM
• GREY WATER MANAGEMENT

Water secure Rajasthan through improved water management

MJSA 2.0 Expansion

The INR 11,200 crore budget under MJSA 2.0 aims to build 5 lakh water harvesting structures in 20,000 villages by 2030 to enhance water conservation.

Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Project (Ram Jal Setu Link Project)

Modified PKC, now part of India’s River Linking Projects, will cost more than INR 80,000 crore and improve water availability for 17 districts, benefiting irrigation and industrial needs.

Severe Water Scarcity

50% of drinking water relies on groundwater but demand surge, surface water depletion and encroachment intensify Rajasthan’s water crisis.

Groundwater Over-Extraction

In 2024, Rajasthan extracted 17.05 BCM groundwater while only 11.37 BCM was recharged, reducing safe groundwater blocks from 203 (1984) to 37 (2024).

Declining Surface Water Availability

Catchment area encroachments, untreated sewage discharge and anicuts have reduced Rajasthan's surface water sources, worsening shortages for the growing population.

Groundwater Contamination

As of April 2024, 4.23 lakh households (24.52 lakh people) face water contamination from salinity, fluoride and nitrate due to excessive groundwater use.

Climate Change Impact

Frequent heat waves, erratic monsoons and geological limitations disrupt groundwater recharge, worsening water scarcity and increasing drought vulnerability.

Monsoon Dependency

Rajasthan’s rainfall variability directly impacts agriculture, groundwater recharge and drinking water supply, making the state prone to droughts and seasonal water shortages.

Revitalisation of Traditional Rainwater Harvesting

Rajasthan’s historic rainwater systems (Johads, Kunds, Baoris, Talabs, etc.) require urgent rejuvenation to enhance rainwater storage and climate resilience.

Need for Stronger Community Participation

Lack of public engagement in water management hinders sustainable solutions, enhanced community participation is crucial for effective water conservation.

RAJASTHAN STATE DEPTH TO WATER LEVEL MAY 2024

RAJASTHAN STATE CATEGORIZATION OF ASSESSMENT UNIT (AS ON 31.03.2023)

INDICATOR	HOUSEHOLDS	POPULATION
SALINITY	3,48,141	20,11,800
FLUORIDE	10,053	58,264
NITRATE	64,285	3,79,063
IRON	623	3,455
TOTAL	4,23,102	24,52,582

Population and households affected by chemical contaminated groundwater in Rajasthan as on 01.04.2025

Water Management

Expansion of Irrigation Projects

Rajasthan’s irrigation potential has increased from 4 lakh ha (pre-Independence) to 39.20 lakh ha with 108 Major and Medium projects and over 4,000 minor projects; yet, demand continues to outpace supply.

Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Project (Ram Jal Setu Link Project)

More than INR 80,000 crore Modified PKC will transfer surplus monsoon water to 17 districts, providing drinking and industrial water and 2.82 lakh ha irrigation coverage.

Declining Per Capita Water Availability

Water availability dropped from 500 cubic meters per person and is projected to reach 450 cubic meters by 2050, far below the 1,000 cubic meter global standard.

Water Supply Uncertainty

Rainfall is highly variable and Rajasthan depends on inter-state water-sharing agreements, while only Mahi and Chambal basins have surplus water.

Inequity in Water Access

Rural-urban disparities, sectoral allocation imbalances and geographical inequalities lead to uneven drinking, agriculture and industrial water access.

Groundwater Depletion & Over-extraction

80% of Rajasthan’s area faces groundwater depletion; 50% of drinking water and 60% of irrigation rely on rapidly declining aquifers.

Deteriorating Groundwater Quality

Over-extraction leads to high salinity, fluoride and nitrate contamination, causing serious health risks in many regions.

Inefficient Water Management

Significant losses in drinking and irrigation sectors due to low operational efficiency, aging infrastructure and poor maintenance.

High Service Costs & Low Recovery

Water rates do not reflect scarcity, causing poor revenue collection, limited budget for repairs and outdated reservoir maintenance.

Lack of Stakeholder Participation

Weak ownership among Water User Associations (WUAs) results in poor irrigation project maintenance, canal mismanagement and revenue collection challenges.

Water Management

INDICATORS	CURRENT STATUS	TARGET (2030)	TARGET (2035)	TARGET (2040)	TARGET (2047)
Universal access to safe water for all (%)	56	95	95	100	100
Universal access to safe water for all government institutions (%)	65	95	95	100	100
Groundwater extraction / Freshwater withdrawal (%)	149.86	<125	<122	<120	<100
Non-revenue Water loss (%)	40	<25	<23	<20	<15
Drinking Water supply frequency in all Urban Towns (256 towns)	> 96 hrs - 13 Towns	0 Town	0 Town	0 Town	0 Town
	> 48 < 96 hrs - 33 Towns	22 Towns	0 Town	0 Town	0 Town
	> 24 < 48 hrs - 86 Towns	80 Towns	62 Towns	32 Towns	0 Town
	< 24 hrs - 114 Towns	154 Towns	194 Towns	224 Towns	100% Towns
Water Storage from Rainwater & River Diversion (BCM)	14.55	19.68	20.28	20.88	20.88
Total Command Area (Lakh ha.)	39.51	45.00	47.50	50.00	50.00
Micro Irrigation System, under the command area (Lakh ha.)	6.17	10.00	12.50	15.00	20.00
Water Use Efficiency (%)	35-40	50	55	60	60
Formation of Water User Association (WUA)	5,074	All irrigation projects	All irrigation projects	All irrigation projects	All irrigation projects
Automation of Dams and Canals	Automation of gates at Mahi, Jawai, Narmada Canal, Chhapi, Gudha, Jawahar, Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar, Kalisindh and Rajgarh has been completed	All major irrigation projects	All medium irrigation projects	All medium irrigation projects	All medium irrigation projects

Mid-Term Action Plan

Har Ghar Jal Certification

Achieve 100% rural household tap water coverage, ensuring safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in all schools, anganwadis and healthcare institutions.

Strengthened Water Governance

Establish institutional frameworks for bulk water transmission, village distribution management and promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for sustainable water infrastructure development.

Advanced Technology Integration

Implement AI, IoT sensors and Decision Support Systems (DSS) to optimise water demand, monitor groundwater extraction and enhance data-driven governance.

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring

Deploy sensor-based monitoring and dashboard integration to detect water impurities and ensure safe drinking water for 4.20 lakh affected households by 2027.

Digital Water Metering

Introduce prepaid water meters in urban areas first, later expanding to rural regions for efficient monitoring and cost recovery.

Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction

Establish NRW Cells at state and district levels, ensuring minimal water loss through smart metering, leak detection and volumetric water usage control.

Smart Water Dispensing Systems

Install smart-card-operated water kiosks in areas where piped networks are not feasible, ensuring safe drinking water access.

Grey Water Management & Recycling

Encourage wastewater reuse in agriculture and industry, ensuring Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) compliance in Pali, Bhilwara, Balotra, Udaipur and Kota.

Circular Economy in Water

Promote wastewater treatment for irrigation, industry and horticulture, with quality standards developed by IIT Jodhpur & ICAR.

Rainwater Harvesting & Storage

Adopt the lapodia model and construct 5 lakh water harvesting structures under MJSA 2.0, including storm water collection along roads and rooftop rainwater harvesting.

Groundwater Recharge & Control

Implement scientific deep exploration, aquifer testing, hydro-fracturing and Telemetry Digital Water Level Recorders (TDWLR) at gram panchayat levels.

Water Conservation Awareness

Establish Water Harvesting Theme Parks and launch rainwater harvesting awareness programs in schools, colleges and rural communities.

Inter-Basin Water Transfer Projects

Prioritise Sabarmati-Jawai floodwater diversion, Dewas III & IV projects and Chambal-Banas transfers to address district-level water deficits.

Climate Resilience & River Health

Implement downstream water release mandates, strengthen environmental protection and study Ghaggar floodwater harvesting for groundwater augmentation.

Smart Water Resource Management

Develop the Rajasthan State Water Informatics Center (RSWIC) to provide real-time hydrological forecasts and decision support systems for efficient water governance.

Automation in Water Infrastructure

Automate canals and dams using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to enhance water distribution efficiency.

Efficient Irrigation & Agriculture Water Use

Expand drip, sprinkler and pressurised irrigation. Integrate solar-powered micro-irrigation and promote low-water-consuming, high-value crops.

Equitable Water Distribution System

Implement water-sharing policies among sectors and regions, prioritising critical shortage areas for balanced distribution.

Micro-Watershed-Based Project Planning

Develop Upper High-Level Canal Project (42,000 ha. Irrigation), Parwan Project (2.01 lakh ha. irrigation + drinking water) and Dholpur Lift Project (39,980 ha. Irrigation).

Community Participation & Water User Associations

Strengthen Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), train Water User Organisations and return 50% of collected water charges for irrigation system maintenance.

Long-Term Action Plan

Sustaining Har Ghar Jal Status

100% rural households will continue to have regular and safe drinking water, along with functional tap connections, sanitation and hygiene facilities in all institutions.

Strengthening Water Governance

A State Planning Organisation will oversee water resources, demand assessment, inter-sectoral allocation, overall water budgeting and State Water Policy implementation with scientific and GIS-based studies.

Advanced AI & IoT-Based Water Monitoring

AI-driven leak detection, satellite-based geospatial analysis and IoT sensors will optimise water management, minimize losses and improve water distribution efficiency.

Groundwater Recharge & Management

GIS-based aquifer mapping, Hydro Geo-Morphological (HGM) modelling and artificial recharge will restore over-exploited groundwater resources.

Reduction in Non-Revenue Water (NRW)

Every urban water supply zone will reduce NRW by 15% through smart metering, automated leak detection and AI-powered water loss prevention systems.

Universal Prepaid Water Meters

100% water supply metering in urban and rural areas will improve cost recovery, conservation and equitable distribution.

Treated Wastewater Recycling

100% wastewater treatment, with recycling for agriculture, industries and urban usage, as emphasised in the PM's 2023 Chief Secretaries Conference.

Decentralised Wastewater Management

City Water Balance Plans (CWBP) and City Sanitation Plans (CSP) will promote local reuse of treated water and wastewater-to-resource recovery transformation.

Paleo Drainage Network Rejuvenation

Revival of defunct Saraswati and other paleo channels to strategically store groundwater for climate resilience and emergency water supply.

Interlinking of Canals & River Basins

Diversion of Chambal, Mahi and Brahmani basin surplus water to deficit regions, ensuring year-round water supply and agricultural stability.

Floating Solar Panels on Dams & Canals

Reservoir-based floating solar farms and solar-covered irrigation canals will reduce evaporation losses and generate renewable energy.

Expansion of Alternative Water Sources

Rainwater harvesting, aquifer recharge and storm water collection will be mandatory in urban and rural areas to ensure uninterrupted water supply.

Farmer Training & Efficient Irrigation

Drip, sprinkler and precision irrigation techniques will improve agricultural water efficiency, reducing dependency on groundwater extraction.

Data-Driven Irrigation Planning

SCADA-based irrigation monitoring, mobile apps and crop-specific water norms will ensure demand-based water supply.

Expansion of Storage Infrastructure

New reservoirs, canal upgrades and increased dam heights will enhance water security and supply reliability.

Sustainable River Basin Management

Periodic river cross-section analysis, rainfall-runoff models and discharge rating updates will improve long-term water resource planning.

Automation of Canals & Dams

SCADA automation for all major irrigation projects will enable efficient water release and reduce manual inefficiencies.

Formation of Water User Regulatory Authority

A Water User Authority will set tariffs covering operation & maintenance (O&M) costs, ensuring financial sustainability of water infrastructure.

Strengthening Community Participation

Water User Associations (WUAs) in all irrigation projects will be empowered for decision-making, fee collection and maintenance.

Exploring Abandoned Mine-Pit Storage

Feasibility studies on storing water in abandoned mines will create new groundwater reserves for future climate resilience.

This strategic roadmap will make Rajasthan to lead with innovation, sustainability, resilience and technology for a greener future.