Draft Five Year Plan 1978-83 Water Supply

Abstract

The Draft Five-Year Plan for Water Supply (1978–1983) in Madhya Pradesh was formulated to address the pressing challenge of inadequate access to safe drinking water across both rural and urban areas of the state. Recognizing the strong link between potable water availability and public health, the plan prioritizes water supply development as a key strategy to reduce waterborne diseases, improve community health, and enhance economic productivity. At the time of planning, approximately 83.74 percent of the population lived in rural areas, with a large number of villages lacking reliable drinking water sources. Survey findings revealed that more than 22,000 villages were categorized as problem villages, experiencing severe shortages or complete absence of potable water. Population growth further intensified the urgency of the issue, with the state’s population rising from about 416.5 lakh in 1971 to nearly 490 lakh by 1978. To address these challenges, the plan proposed a comprehensive financial outlay of Rs. 241.92 crores, allocating Rs. 140.52 crores for rural water supply schemes and Rs. 101.40 crores for urban water supply and drainage development. The rural strategy focused on accelerating water supply schemes, constructing dug wells in remote hamlets, and conducting improved geological surveys to identify sustainable groundwater sources, while also eliminating mandatory public contributions to encourage broader implementation. Urban initiatives aimed to expand organized water supply systems in towns lacking such infrastructure and to implement drainage systems in major urban centers, with a proposed investment of Rs. 20 crores for drainage in six towns. By integrating infrastructure development, financial investment, and improved planning mechanisms, the draft plan sought to ensure that every village would gain access to a reliable drinking water source within five to seven years. Overall, the plan represents a strategic and large-scale effort to overcome historical neglect in water supply services, strengthen public health conditions, and promote sustainable socio-economic development in Madhya Pradesh.