Latest news with #AnuragSrivastava
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
INCOIS deploys ‘WAMAN' Wave Rider Buoy in Mauritius
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) partnered with the Indian High Commission for deployment of the 'WAMAN' Wave Rider Buoy to strengthen marine resource management and maritime safety in Mauritius. A symbolic handing over ceremony was held on at the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, in the presence of the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dhanandjay Kawol; High Commissioner of India to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava, INCOIS Director T.M. Balakrishnan Nair and DG of Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration at the PMO Rezah Badal, on Thursday. Dr Kawol said the buoy will enhance real-time monitoring of wave conditions, support maritime safety and port efficiency, and strengthen the management of coastal resources. It will also improve early warning and response mechanisms to extreme weather and ocean hazards. Mr. Srivastava said the buoy has been donated by the Indian government as a gesture of bilateral cooperation and commitment to advancing ocean science for Mauritius and other coastal nations. The buoy will bolster climate resilience and help mitigate vulnerabilities related to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, etc. He also highlighted various collaborative projects between the two countries in the maritime domain, reaffirming India's unwavering support in safeguarding Mauritius' vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which spans approximately 2.4 million square kilometres. Dr. Nair and Dr. Badal highlighted the buoy's pivotal role in providing critical data to support early warning systems for cyclones, storm surges, and tsunamis. The instrument can collect and transmit real-time, high-frequency oceanographic data such as wave height, direction, sea surface temperature, and ocean currents as vital for accurate forecasting, help in coastal planning, and the safe execution of marine operations, a press release stated on Friday.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Rural families in U.P. to get potable water sans financial strain
In a major relief for rural households, the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday announced that it will bear the community contribution for the Har Ghar Nal scheme run under the Jal Jeevan Mission for the financial year 2025-26. The move will ensure that the villagers won't face any upfront capital costs for tap water connections. Earlier, the scheme mandated that beneficiaries contribute 10% of the capital cost, with a reduced rate of 5% for villages with predominantly SC/ST populations. However, the Yogi government has eliminated this requirement reaffirming its commitment to public welfare, said a state government spokesperson. To support the initiative, the government had allocated ₹2,000 crore in 2024–25, that has now been more than doubled to ₹4,500 crore for the fiscal year 2025–26. The move ensures that rural families receive safe and clean drinking water without financial strain. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, functional household tap connections have been provided to 2,39,24,444 rural families across Uttar Pradesh. While the capital contribution has been waived, villagers will contribute just ₹50 per month as a water tariff to their gram panchayats for the maintenance work. Additional chief secretary, Namami Gange and rural water supply department, Anurag Srivastava said, 'To ensure rural families in Uttar Pradesh are not financially burdened, CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered that the state government bear the cost of community contribution under the Jal Jeevan Mission.' 'Accordingly, a provision of ₹4,500 crore has been made in the financial year 2025–26 budget. The government remains firmly committed to providing safe drinking water to the households,' he added.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
‘UP treating 4,800 MLD sewage discharge daily to keep rivers clean'
1 2 Lucknow: Additional chief secretary, department of Namami Gange & Rural Water Supply, GoUP, Anurag Srivastava, on Monday said UP was treating 4,800 MLD of the total of 5,500 MLD sewage discharge daily to check river pollution. "Efforts are on to treat the remaining sewage discharge. This way we have been able to tackle the quality of water in our rivers," Srivastava said at the TOI River Dialogues. In a fireside chat on 'Revitalising Rivers: A Collective Responsibility', Srivastava said: "For quality water, we are tapping on all sewers. We are also using drone technology to identify such drains that tend to overflow in certain seasons so that we can check the issue." Calling rivers a moving asset, Srivastava said, "Since rivers are dynamic, they must be managed from a different perspective. It needs independent planning and a different way of implementation. We have come up with a comprehensive policy, but a lot more needs to be done." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You will never turn off your computer again. Undo Shedding light on Ganga, its tributaries, and other smaller streams, Srivastava said, "Groundwater is naturally part of the river and its tributaries. One season, the groundwater gets charged from river, and the other season, the river gets charged from groundwater." Regarding the quantity of river water, Srivastava said in the basin area where there is proper afforestation, some water enters the ground while some may flow across the surface. "However, if a bed has improper utilisation and has a steep flow of water, the quantity of water will be affected. A plan is made, but we will have to prepare proper SOPs as a guiding force and not a regulatory force. We are trying to involve major stakeholders for maximum benefit," Srivastava said. Applauding the role of non-profits in the rejuvenation of dying rivers, Srivastava said, "A lot still needs to be done. In UP, there are different zones. For instance, the groundwater is in abundance in the Terai region. Even in the Ganga-Yamuna central area, groundwater is there. But the south of Yamuna faces a severe water crisis. Water depletion issues come from this area and managing this is an uphill task." For this, Srivastava said efforts for a decentralised system are being worked upon, which will be very beneficial. "We are planning for a continuous flow of water that was somehow lost due to urbanisation. We also need to engage the community," he said. Throwing light on the restoration of ponds, Srivastava said, "Water bodies are being tagged. We identify ponds, free them from encroachment, and then restore them. Good work has been done under the Amrit Sarovar scheme in UP. It will take some time but will have a long-lasting effect," he said. During the event, he apprised the audience of the most recent award the department received: the Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration in the 'Innovation – State Category' for his leadership in integrating solar energy into water supply schemes. Under this, 80% of the state's 41,539 Jal Jeevan Mission projects are now solar-powered, collectively generating 900 MW of electricity daily. This shift has led to more than 50% cost savings in rural water supply and is projected to save the state nearly ₹1 lakh crore over 30 years, while also cutting carbon emissions by 13 lakh metric tonnes annually.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
TOI River Dialogues 2025: ‘Involving the younger generation is essential', says IAS Anurag Srivastava on river rejuvenation
Anurag Srivastava, IAS, additional chief secretary, department of Namami Gange and rural water supply, government of Uttar Pradesh NEW DELHI: The TOI River Dialogues 2025 , held on April 28 in Lucknow, brought together policymakers, innovators, and community leaders to discuss the future of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Gomti, which have shaped the region's history, culture, and economy for centuries. Speaking at the event, Anurag Srivastava , IAS, additional chief secretary, department of Namami Gange and rural water supply, government of Uttar Pradesh, outlined key strategies for ensuring river health and resilience. Srivastava stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and dynamic policy framework to meet the evolving challenges in river rejuvenation . "The increasing dynamism in environmental and urban pressures demands a flexible but firm response," he said, adding that microanalysis and technological innovations are critical. "We are using drones and focusing on total sewerage tapping to cut pollution at the source," he pointed out. TOI River Dialogues LIVE | Restoring the Lifelines of Uttar Pradesh Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo He emphasised that groundwater and river water systems must be treated as complementary, especially in light of emerging challenges like groundwater depletion in the west and south Yamuna regions. Srivastava highlighted the importance of bringing major stakeholders, including NGOs, local communities, and businesses, into the conservation effort. He advocated for decentralised systems supported by communities, calling them "vital for lasting impact." In a move to build public ownership, he mentioned the success of River Literacy Program that educates and involve the youth. "Involving the younger generation is essential because they are the future custodians of our rivers," he remarked. Touching on broader social impacts, he pointed to initiatives like 'Har Ghar Nal', which have improved access to drinking water, thereby enhancing quality of life and supporting female education across rural Uttar Pradesh. Srivastava also discussed the ongoing efforts in pond rejuvenation, including the Amrit Sarovar Yojana . He acknowledged that while progress would take time, these initiatives would create long-lasting ecological and social benefits, even though a comprehensive database of restored water bodies is still under development. On the economic dimension of river rejuvenation, he said, "We must at least begin by recognising it as a pressing need of the hour and align planning accordingly." He also addressed the use of chemical-based cleaning technologies, cautioning that "solutions are not binary," and stressed that policy must balance society's needs with available technologies. Srivastava also underlined the critical role of individual responsibility in river conservation, calling it "absolutely essential" for ensuring meaningful and sustainable outcomes.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh wins PM's Award for innovative use of solar power in Jal Jeevan Mission
Uttar Pradesh has been honoured with the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration for pioneering the use of solar power in Jal Jeevan Mission projects. The award was presented to Anurag Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 17th Civil Services Day celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Srivastava, a 1992 batch IAS officer, received the award in the 'Innovation – State Category' for his leadership in integrating solar energy into water supply schemes. Under his guidance, over 80% of the state's 41,539 Jal Jeevan Mission projects are now solar-powered, collectively generating 900 MW of electricity daily. This shift has led to more than 50% cost savings in rural water supply and is projected to save the state nearly ₹1 lakh crore over 30 years, while also cutting carbon emissions by 13 lakh metric tonnes annually. The program has also trained 12.5 lakh people across rural UP to manage and maintain these solar-based systems, ensuring long-term sustainability and local employment. In addition to Srivastava, Moradabad DM Anuj Singh was awarded for setting up a library for the differently abled, while Bahraich DM Monika Rani was recognized for her effective administrative contributions. Speaking after the award, Srivastava credited the visionary leadership of PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath for enabling such impactful innovations at the grassroots level.
