Sujalam Bharat App: A Revolution in Rural Water Management

Introduction to Sujalam Bharat App

Recently, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti unveiled the Sujalam Bharat App, a significant digital initiative aimed at revolutionizing rural drinking water governance in India.

About the Sujalam Bharat App

This app has been developed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), focusing on enhancing the management of rural water supply systems.

Features of the Sujalam Bharat App

The Sujalam Bharat App offers advanced features that facilitate geo-referencing, monitoring, and management of water supply infrastructure under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Key functionalities include:

• Integration of Critical Data: It consolidates essential information such as water sources, asset inventories, scheme designs, operational records, water quality reports, supply metrics, and community feedback into a unified platform.
• Sujal Gaon ID: Each habitation will have a digital profile showcasing its drinking water source (local or bulk), infrastructure condition, supply reliability, water quality status, and operational management arrangements.
• geospatial mapping: The app is linked with PM Gati Shakti GIS, allowing for updated geospatial mapping of rural water networks, which aids in precise future planning, repairs, and expansions.

Significance of the Sujalam Bharat App

The launch of the Sujalam Bharat App marks a crucial step towards ensuring transparency in the operations of Gram Panchayats, Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), and service providers. This initiative promotes community participation and oversight, thereby enhancing accountability in rural water governance.

Conclusion

By adopting technological solutions like the Sujalam Bharat App, rural water supply management can be significantly improved, ensuring that communities have reliable access to safe drinking water.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the purpose of the Sujalam Bharat App?
Answer: The Sujalam Bharat App aims to enhance rural drinking water governance through improved monitoring, management, and community engagement in water supply systems.

Q2. How does the Sujalam Bharat App ensure data transparency?
Answer: The app integrates critical data on water sources and infrastructure, providing a transparent view of the performance of local governance bodies and promoting accountability.

Q3. What is the Sujal Gaon ID feature?
Answer: The Sujal Gaon ID creates a digital profile for each habitation, detailing its water supply sources, infrastructure conditions, and other essential metrics.

Q4. Who developed the Sujalam Bharat App?
Answer: The app was developed with the support of the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).

Q5. What role does PM Gati Shakti GIS play in this app?
Answer: PM Gati Shakti GIS provides up-to-date geospatial mapping of rural water networks, facilitating better planning and management of water resources.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the primary focus of the Sujalam Bharat App?
A) Urban water supply
B) Rural drinking water governance
C) Industrial water management
D) Water conservation policies
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Which institute collaborated in the development of the Sujalam Bharat App?
A) Indian Institute of Technology
B) Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics
C) National Institute of Oceanography
D) Indian Space Research Organisation
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What is the function of the Sujal Gaon ID in the app?
A) To track urban water supply
B) To provide a digital profile of each habitation
C) To monitor water quality in cities
D) To manage industrial water resources
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: How does the Sujalam Bharat App promote community involvement?
A) By offering incentives for water conservation
B) By integrating community feedback into water management
C) By conducting surveys on water usage
D) By providing funding for water projects
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What advantage does integration with PM Gati Shakti GIS provide?
A) Simplified data entry
B) Real-time updates on water supply
C) Precise geospatial mapping for planning
D) Enhanced user interface
Correct Answer: C