DDWS Holds Third Peyjal Samvad to Strengthen Rural Water Delivery

28 Nov 2025 CW Team

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) recently conducted the third District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad, a national platform designed to strengthen rural water governance and improve service delivery under Jal Jeevan Mission. With the theme ‘From Grassroot to Forefront’, the virtual meeting focused on real-time service delivery, scheme functionality, source sustainability, water quality and last-mile governance.

Chaired by Secretary DDWS Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, the session underscored that while asset creation has progressed substantially, the real test lies in ensuring daily supply of quality water. Gram Panchayats, as institutions closest to communities, were highlighted as central to operations and maintenance. Officials also shared insights from over 530 district-level meetings and the growing use of Panchayat Dashboards, which have enabled more than 85,000 Panchayats to track household coverage, scheme performance and water quality results.

A detailed presentation on the Commissioning and Handing Over Protocol outlined a four-phase framework covering documentation, system testing, trial operations and final certification, aimed at improving transparency and long-term sustainability. Districts from Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Ladakh and Meghalaya presented local innovations, including solar-powered systems, gravity-fed solutions, advanced monitoring and strong community-led oversight.

The session concluded with a call to enhance monitoring, reinforce community ownership and prioritise source rejuvenation to secure long-term rural water supply. CW.

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..