(a) whether any assessment has been made regarding shortage of drinking water in various cities/urban areas;
(b) if so, the details thereof, city-wise; and
(c) the remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure adequate supply of water to these cities and urban areas?
THE MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)
(a & b) A status report for “Service Levels in Urban Water and Sanitation Sector (2010-2011)” was published by Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in March - 2012, according to which, the average per capita water supply is 69.2 lpcd which is less than the Service Level Benchmark of 135 lpcd. The average coverage of water supply connections is 50.2% as against the benchmark of 100%.
(c) Water Supply is a State subject, however, MoUD supplements the efforts of State Governments/ULBs in providing adequate water supply facilities in urban areas under various schemes such as Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), 10% lumpsum scheme for North Eastern States, North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme (NERUDP) and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Satellite towns/Counter Magnets of Million plus cities (UIDSST). In addition, various policies and advisories are issued by MoUD from time to time.