The Jharkhand government is preparing a new initiative to improve drinking water schemes across the state. The government plans to use the expertise of academic institutions to strengthen the quality, maintenance and operational systems of water supply projects. Under the initiative, leading educational institutions, including IIT-ISM Dhanbad, are proposed to be brought on board as “knowledge partners.”

The objective is to address technical shortcomings in drinking water schemes operating in rural and urban areas, improve monitoring and ensure uninterrupted water supply over the long term. Expert teams from academic institutions may provide suggestions on technical reviews, maintenance and quality-related issues concerning water supply projects.

The government believes that collaboration with expert institutions could help improve the efficiency of drinking water schemes. The use of new technologies and scientific methods could also make water availability and distribution systems more effective.

The initiative comes at a time when several areas of the state have continued to face challenges related to the operation and maintenance of water supply schemes.