Abstract

Right to access safe drinking water is an intrinsic part and parcel of Right to Life and Personal Liberty guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. The present paper briefly outlines the Pre-Colonial and Post Colonial Water Policies in India and the strategies implemented to overcome the water crisis. The water crisis plays a dominant role which leads to extreme weather events, such as droughts, famines etc., that affects the country's development. The Central Government has the power only to deal with Inter-States River Water Disputes since the subject "Water" falls under the State List whereby the states have been given the power to enact laws and policies to deal with water crises which ultimately limits the powers and role played by Central Government in improving water management. 'Water' is a subject of the State List; there is no uniform Water Management Policy throughout India. The Niti Aayog's report reveals that the country is facing a serious water crisis and assesses that major cities will reach zero groundwater levels by 2020. It also assessed that more than 600 million people are facing water shortage, and the country’s water demand will be twice the available supply by 2030. The current paper analyses the previous National Water Policies and provides suggestions for Action Plan for 2030 for better achievement of water management.

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