AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav Celebrating Women Leadership in Urban Water Governance

Event Honouring Women’s Contribution

AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav Celebrating Women Leadership in Urban Water Governance: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organised the AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi to recognise the contributions of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) working under AMRUT 2.0. The event celebrated the role of women, known as AMRUT Mitras, in strengthening urban water supply and sanitation services.

More than 1,000 women participants and 300 government officials from 30 States and Union Territories attended the national-level programme. The gathering highlighted the importance of women-led community participation in ensuring sustainable urban water management.

Static GK fact: Bharat Mandapam is a major convention centre located at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, developed as part of India’s infrastructure upgrade for the G20 Summit 2023.

Role of AMRUT Mitras in Water Services

Women SHG members have become active partners in urban service delivery through the AMRUT Mitra initiative. Their work supports city administrations in improving water quality monitoring and public engagement.

Their responsibilities include water quality testing, billing and collection for water supply, community awareness campaigns, and operation and maintenance of water infrastructure. Many SHG members are also involved in Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) activities.

These contributions have improved transparency, citizen participation, and service efficiency in urban water systems. Women’s involvement also strengthens trust between communities and urban local bodies.

Static GK Tip: Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) refers to the collection, transport, treatment, and safe disposal of sludge from septic tanks in areas without sewer networks.

AMRUT 2.0 and Urban Water Security

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is a flagship urban development programme launched by the Government of India to improve basic infrastructure in cities. The mission focuses on water supply, sewerage networks, stormwater drainage, and green spaces.

The upgraded AMRUT 2.0, launched in 2021, aims to provide universal water supply coverage and promote circular water economy practices. A key focus is the reuse and recycling of treated wastewater to reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

Women SHGs are being encouraged to participate in digital water management systems, including smart metering and data-based monitoring. Their involvement supports better community awareness about water conservation and responsible consumption.

Jan Bhagidari in Urban Governance

Union Minister Manohar Lal emphasised that water management should become a people’s movement driven by Jan Bhagidari. Women play a crucial role because they are traditionally responsible for managing household water needs.

By involving SHGs in city-level programmes, the government aims to improve community ownership of urban infrastructure. Women-led initiatives also encourage stronger public participation in urban governance and sanitation systems.

Expanding the Women-Led Model

The AMRUT Mitra network currently includes more than 45,000 SHG members working across 1,910 cities in 34 States and Union Territories. These women support local governments in delivering water and sanitation services at the grassroots level.

The Ministry plans to expand this model to 5,000 cities in the future, creating additional livelihood opportunities for women. The expansion will also strengthen community-based water security and inclusive urban governance.

Such initiatives demonstrate how women’s participation can transform urban infrastructure management while promoting social empowerment and sustainable development.

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AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav Celebrating Women Leadership in Urban Water Governance: