"Big transformations": Authors of study on India's water governance journey hail reforms spurred by PM Modi
A new study traces India's water governance evolution from Gujarat's reforms to national missions like Jal Jeevan Mission, highlighting massive scale.
A groundbreaking study launched at IIM Bangalore has traced the transformative 25-year journey of water governance in India, highlighting how reforms initiated in Gujarat have now scaled to a national level. The research, titled 'From Gujarat to India: Water Lessons for the World', credits the foundational shifts to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, beginning from his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001.
From Gujarat's Scarcity to National Missions
The study, published by George Mason University and the Gates Foundation, explores how a state perennially starved of water became a blueprint for the nation. Experts involved in the research noted that the seeds of modern water management were sown during the early 2000s through remarkable reforms in river management and institutional building.
Parameswaran Iyer, former secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and a co-author of the study, highlighted the direct link between Gujarat's localized successes and India's current national programs. He noted that many initiatives once specific to Gujarat have now evolved into massive national missions, including:
- Jal Jeevan Mission: Aiming for safe drinking water for all.
- Namami Gange: Focused on the rejuvenation of the holy river.
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan: A campaign for water conservation and security.
- Micro Irrigation: Enhancing agricultural water efficiency.
Iyer also recalled that the very name of the Jal Shakti Ministry was coined by Prime Minister Modi, reflecting a unified approach to water resource management.
Lessons for the Global South
The research isn't just about India; it offers a roadmap for the rest of the world. Daniel W. Smith, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, emphasized that while every country has unique hydrology and administrative cultures, the fundamental "ingredients" for success are universal.
According to Smith, the most critical takeaway for the global community is the necessity of prioritizing water at the highest levels of government. He argued that success depends on three pillars:
- Setting ambitious goals: Establishing clear, large-scale objectives.
- Building financing: Creating the necessary public funding structures.
- Administrative architecture: Developing the institutional capacity to implement changes.
Smith pointed out the staggering scale of India's achievements, noting that the country has managed to provide safely managed drinking water to over 400 million people, particularly in rural areas, through these governance models.
Empowering Communities Through Technology
The study underscores that the shift in governance was not just about large-scale infrastructure like the Narmada-based water grid, but also about institutional innovation. The creation of bodies such as WASMO for drinking water and sanitation, and the Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC), played pivotal roles.
A key theme identified by the authors was the balance between community management and technology. By empowering local users and decentralizing the approach, the governance model ensured that water management was not just a top-down mandate but a community-driven movement. This decentralized, community-based approach remains a cornerstone of the current national water strategy.