In a major sustainability push, the Yogi Adityanath government is installing rainwater harvesting systems in 2.35 lakh public buildings under ‘Catch the Rain 2025’ to combat groundwater depletion in UP.
Uttar Pradesh, June 25, 2025:
In a major step towards water conservation and climate resilience, the Yogi Adityanath-led government has announced an ambitious expansion of the “Catch the Rain 2025” campaign across the state. The project will install rainwater harvesting systems in over 2.35 lakh public and semi-government buildings, including schools, hospitals, panchayat bhawans, and administrative offices.
This initiative, designed to address the severe decline in groundwater levels, is one of the largest state-led rainwater harvesting drives in India and is being viewed as a model for other drought-prone states.
The Urgency Behind the Move
Groundwater levels in Uttar Pradesh, especially in urban and agriculturally intensive districts, have been falling steadily due to over-extraction and erratic monsoons. According to a recent Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) report, more than 60% of blocks in UP are now in the “semi-critical” or “critical” category.
Over the past few years, water scarcity in districts like Mahoba, Jhansi, Banda, Prayagraj, and parts of western UP has disrupted agriculture and urban supply systems. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the state government launched the original “Catch the Rain” campaign in collaboration with the Jal Shakti Ministry. The 2025 expansion is a bold leap forward in scale and scope.
Scope of the New Expansion
The extended initiative will now cover:
| Type of Building | Approximate Units | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Government Schools | 1,00,000+ | Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur |
| Panchayat Bhawans | 50,000+ | Rural Bundelkhand, Awadh regions |
| Health Centers & Hospitals | 30,000+ | Kanpur, Allahabad, Ghaziabad |
| Govt. Offices | 25,000+ | District HQs and administrative blocks |
| Police & Fire Stations | 10,000+ | All Zones |
| Others (Libraries, Cultural Centers) | 20,000+ | Mixed |
Each of these buildings will be equipped with rooftop rainwater harvesting setups customized to their size and topography, with some incorporating ground recharge pits, storage tanks, and filtration units to ensure water quality.
Funding and Execution
The government has earmarked ₹1,650 crore for the project under the convergence of funds from Jal Jeevan Mission, MNREGA, and AMRUT 2.0. District Magistrates will act as nodal officers to oversee implementation, while Public Works Department (PWD) and Jal Nigam will handle the technical execution.
In a unique move, the state has also announced a “Rain Meter Challenge”—a community monitoring initiative where schools and panchayats will measure the rain collected weekly and report it on a new mobile dashboard, incentivizing performance with cash rewards.
Tech Integration and Real-Time Monitoring
The campaign is not just brick-and-mortar. The “Jal Nirikshan Portal”, launched simultaneously, will allow citizens to track installations, monitor rainwater collected, and report maintenance issues.
Each system will be geo-tagged and mapped using GIS technology. Engineers and contractors will be held accountable for faulty implementation via a grievance redressal app directly linked to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Community Participation and Training
Recognizing the importance of community involvement, over 75,000 school teachers and 1 lakh gram panchayat members will be trained to manage and maintain these systems. Workshops, puppet shows, wall paintings, and short films will be used to sensitize students and rural communities about water conservation.
The Department of Education has integrated water literacy into the Class 6 to 8 curriculum to build awareness from a young age. The slogan “Boond Boond Se Jeevan” (Life from Every Drop) will be the face of the awareness campaign in schools.
Environmental and Agricultural Impact
If implemented effectively, the campaign is projected to recharge over 9 billion liters of groundwater annually, particularly benefiting dryland farming regions like Bundelkhand. This could help revive depleting wells, improve irrigation coverage, and reduce dependency on canal or tanker water in water-stressed villages.
Agricultural experts also believe that improving water availability will enhance the yield stability of water-intensive crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane and promote the adoption of sustainable alternatives like millet farming.
CM Yogi’s Vision
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing officials in Lucknow, stated:
“Water is not just a resource, it is the foundation of our civilization. This campaign is about reviving our traditions, ensuring future security, and making UP an example for the world in water stewardship.”
He added that the state would scale this project further in its next phase to cover private institutions and commercial complexes through incentives and regulations.
Conclusion
The “Catch the Rain 2025” campaign’s massive expansion in Uttar Pradesh marks a forward-thinking approach to environmental conservation, sustainability, and grassroots governance. With technological integration, community engagement, and strong leadership, this initiative is poised to make a lasting impact not just on water tables but on public consciousness as well.
As monsoons approach, UP is not just waiting for the rain—it’s preparing to catch every drop.