Chandigarh, 26 June:- As part of the Government of India’s continued push for sustainable water management under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025, Ms. Gurneet Tej, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT), along with Sh. Sujatro Ray Chowdhuri, Scientist-C, Central Ground Water Board, conducted a comprehensive three-day review visit to Chandigarh.

The visit commenced with a formal reception at the Sector 17 Municipal Corporation Office by Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, MCC. A high-level briefing was held in the presence of key officials including Special Commissioner Sh. Pardeep Kumar, IAS, Chief Engineer Sh. Sanjay Arora, and representatives from the Forest Department, UT Engineering, Public Health Engineering, and the Jal Shakti Abhiyan technical team.

The MC Commissioner presented the city’s major water conservation initiatives, highlighting the installation of rainwater harvesting systems across public and private buildings, use of tertiary treated water for non-potable purposes, rejuvenation of lakes including Amrit Sarovar, and afforestation drives near the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.

Field visits were also conducted to multiple project sites including:

Roadside rainwater harvesting system at Sector 14/15 roundabout

Dhanas Lake with floating solar-powered fountains

Jal Shakti Kendra at Sector 37 Water Works

Rainwater harvesting system at Govt. High School, Village Kajheri

STP Diggian showcasing tertiary water treatment

Revived water bodies at Colony No. 4.

Ms. Tej lauded the integrated efforts of the city, stating, “Chandigarh stands out as a model for sustainable urban water management. The blend of innovation, infrastructure, and community engagement is commendable.”

Sh. Ray Chowdhuri praised the use of floating solar at Dhanas Lake and the Jal Shakti Kendra’s role in public awareness.

The delegation also offered recommendations on SOP development, capacity building, and infrastructure upgrades to support long-term resilience and efficiency. This visit not only reviewed on-ground progress but also set the tone for further innovation and scalability in line with Catch the Rain 2025 goals.