Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched in April 2022 with the ambitious goal of constructing or rejuvenating 75 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) in each district, totaling 50,000 across the country. Each Amrit Sarovar was to have pondage area of about 1 acre (except in case of States/UTs with hilly terrain) with water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic meters (except in case of hilly terrain states.)

As on 20-03-2025, over 68,000 Amrit Sarovars have been completed, State-wise details of which are at Annexure. This initiative has made significant contribution in addressing the critical issue of water scarcity and enhancing surface and groundwater availability across various regions. These Sarovars have not only addressed immediate water needs but also established sustainable water sources, symbolizing Government commitment to long-term environmental sustainability and community well-being.

Mission Amrit Sarovar works are being taken up by the States and Districts in convergence with various ongoing schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), 15th Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojna sub-schemes such as the Watershed Development Component, Har Khet ko Pani, besides States’ own schemes. Public contributions like crowdfunding and Corporate Social Responsibility are also allowed for the work.

Phase II of Mission Amrit Sarovar is envisaged to continue with a renewed focus on ensuring water availability, with community participation (Jan Bhagidaari) at its core, and aims to strengthen climate resilience, foster ecological balance, and deliver lasting benefits for future generations.

Peoples’ participation has been the key to the entire Mission. To encourage mobilization of citizens and non- Government resources for supplementing the Government’s efforts to achieve the target, explicit provisions have been made in the guidelines of the Mission Amrit Sarovar as follows:

1. Laying the foundation stone for the Amrit Sarovar to be led by freedom fighter or her/his family member or by the family of martyr (post-independence) or a local Padma awardee, and in case no such citizen is available, by the eldest member of the local Gram Panchayat.
2. Provision for people to participate by donating construction material, benches and by Shram Daan.
3. If village community so desires, beautification works on the Sarovar site may mobilize necessary donations through crowd sourcing and CSR contributions.
4. Provision has been made that on the occasion of Independence Day/ Republic Day, Tricolour to be hoisted at each Amrit Sarovar site, by the freedom fighter or his/her family member or by the family member of martyr or a local Padma Awardee. On Amrit Sarovar sites, National events are also being celebrated.
5. Possible users of such water structure, including for irrigation, fishery or water chestnut cultivation, should be identified and creation of their group are encouraged.

As per the guidelines of Mission Amrit Sarovar, effective maintenance and sustainability of Amrit Sarovars requires a formation and clear mapping of users’ groups associated with each sarovar largely drawn from members of SHGs. Proper identification and coordination of these user groups are essential for the optimal use and upkeep of the sarovars. The user group will also be responsible for the ongoing use and maintenance of the Amrit Sarovar including the plantation activities. The removal of silt from the catchment area should be done by the users’ groups voluntarily after every monsoon season.

Annexure

This information was given by the Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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