Coimbatore district recognised under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0 for water conservation, receives ₹25 lakh prize

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has recognised Coimbatore district under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0 (JSJB) initiative for its water conservation efforts, placing it among the districts eligible for the ₹25 lakh prize announced by the Ministry.

Coimbatore district secured the second rank in Category 3 of the Southern Zone for completing 28,147 artificial recharge and storage works.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil presented the award, which was received by Additional Collector (Development) Sanket Balwant Waghe on behalf of the district administration at a ceremony held on Tuesday (November 18, 2025) at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

Under the JSJB awards, districts in Category 1 receive ₹2 crore, those in Category 2 receive ₹1 crore and Category 3 districts receive ₹25 lakh. Other contributors are also recognised, and each award includes a citation signed by the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

Vettaikaranpudur Canal Odayakulam Village Water User Association in Coimbatore district received first rank in the Best Water User Association category. President Droupadi Murmu handed over the award to V.M.R.S. Subramaniyam, president of the Association.

District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar said the achievement was made possible through works carried out by the District Administration, the Coimbatore Corporation, non-governmental organisations and others. He said discussions on a water conservation plan began in February and that the district would continue to strengthen the efforts.

The JSJB initiative, launched in September 2024, set targets of 10,000 recharge structures for districts and Municipal Corporations, and 3,000 for hilly districts. Nationwide, 27.6 lakh works were reported against a target of 10 lakh.