Give brief account of the sources and availability of drinking water in Madhya Pradesh.

Sources and Availability of Drinking Water in Madhya Pradesh:

Madhya Pradesh relies on both subterranean and surface hydrogeological sources to supply potable drinking water to its 7.26 Crore population:

• 1. Primary Drinking Water Sources:
  • Groundwater (Dominant Source - ~75–80% Rural Supply): Tube-wells, hand-pumps, and open dug wells tapping unconfined/confined aquifers.
  • Surface Water (Dominant Urban Supply - ~20–25%): Major multi-purpose reservoirs (Indira Sagar, Gandhi Sagar, Tawa, Bargi, Kolar Dam supplying Bhopal, Narmada water pipeline supplying Indore).
• 2. Critical Spatial Challenges in Availability:
  • Groundwater Depletion in Malwa: Over-exploitation of tube-wells has created critical "Dark Zones" (Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam).
  • Water Quality & Fluoride Contamination: High geogenic Fluoride in 140+ blocks (Mandla, Seoni, Jhabua, Dhar) and salinity in Chambal belt.
• 3. Government Strategic Programs: Universal tap-water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (हर घर जल), Nal-Jal Yojana, and rural rooftop rainwater harvesting.