Atal Bhujal Pilot Shows Gains In Karnataka Water Management

03 Dec 2025 CW Team

Atal Bhujal Yojana, introduced as a pilot initiative for participatory groundwater management, was implemented in priority water-stressed regions across seven States. In Karnataka, the programme covered 1,199 Gram Panchayats across 14 districts, including Bagalkot, Belagavi, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Gadag, Hassan, Kolar, Ramanagara, Tumakuru and Vijayanagar.

The pilot has significantly improved groundwater governance through sustained community involvement. The establishment of Participatory Groundwater Management Committees, the preparation of Water Security Plans, the adoption of water-efficient techniques, community-driven monitoring efforts and the construction of recharge structures have all strengthened the sustainable use of groundwater. During the scheme period, more than 25,000 water conservation and harvesting structures were created in the implementation area, while over 210,000 hectares of land were brought under efficient irrigation practices.

Although Atal Bhujal Yojana was designed as a time-bound pilot with a fixed financial outlay, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has urged all States to integrate the programme’s key outcomes into their broader groundwater management plans.

The information was shared by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..