Mission Bhagiratha is a prestigious flagship programme of the Government of Telangana, conceived with a commitment to provide safe, adequate, sustainable and treated drinking water to every household across both rural and urban areas of the state . Launched on August 6, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Komatibanda village in Medak district, the project represents one of India’s most comprehensive rural drinking water initiatives .
The project’s name draws inspiration from the mythological King Bhagiratha, who brought the Ganges to earth, symbolizing the state’s ambitious effort to bring clean water to every doorstep . With a budget of ₹43,791 crores and loans of ₹32,000 crores, Mission Bhagiratha aims to supply piped water to 2.32 crore people across 20 lakh households in urban areas and 60 lakhs in rural areas of Telangana .
The project sources water from the River Godavari (53.68 TMC) and the River Krishna (32.43 TMC), interlinking existing reservoirs to collect, reserve and supply treated drinking water across the state . The inspiration for this transformative project was driven by the residents of drought-prone Nalgonda district, where 973 villages faced high fluoride content in groundwater leading to diseases and fluorosis .
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Overview Table: Mission Bhagiratha 2026-27
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Mission Bhagiratha |
| Launched By | Government of Telangana |
| Launch Date | August 6, 2016 |
| Nodal Department | Panchayat Raj and Rural Water Supply Department |
| Total Budget | ₹43,791 crores |
| Annual Maintenance Cost | Approximately ₹5,000 crores |
| Loan from Financial Institutions | ₹32,000 crores |
| Water Sources | River Godavari (53.68 TMC) & River Krishna (32.43 TMC) |
| Water Supply Target (Rural) | 100 Litres Per Capita Per Day (LPCD) |
| Water Supply Target (Urban) | 135-150 LPCD |
| Official Helpline | 1916 |
| Total Habitations Covered | Over 25,000 villages and 65 towns |
| Total Household Connections | Over 20 lakh households |
| Status | Active (Operation & Maintenance phase) |
Introduction and Background
Mission Bhagiratha was envisioned as a life-changing initiative to address the acute water scarcity and contamination issues that plagued Telangana’s rural areas. Before the scheme, residents relied on contaminated groundwater, particularly in the Nalgonda region where high fluoride levels caused fluorosis, a debilitating bone disease . The project was inspired by a similar initiative, Maneru Manchineella Pathakam, completed by K. Chandrashekhar Rao when he was MLA for Siddipet Assembly Constituency in 1996-97, at a cost of ₹100 crores, which supplied water to 180 villages from the Lower Manair Dam .
The project is divided into 26 segments, comprising 25,000 habitations, at an estimated cost of ₹42,853 crores . The Chief Minister had famously vowed in 2016 that he would not seek votes in 2019 if the water project was not completed by 2018 . The project was successfully completed and received recognition from the Central Jal Shakti Minister, who noted that Telangana is the only state in India providing piped water for every household .
In the current political landscape, the scheme continues to function as a critical lifeline for the state. Panchayat Raj Minister Danasari Anasuya ‘Seethakka’ has been actively overseeing the scheme’s maintenance and has urged the central government to provide the ₹16,000 crore recommended by NITI Aayog for the scheme, highlighting that Telangana spends around ₹5,000 crore annually on the scheme .
Objectives of Mission Bhagiratha
Mission Bhagiratha is designed with multiple interconnected objectives to ensure water security across Telangana.
- Provide safe, adequate, sustainable and treated drinking water to every household in both rural and urban areas of the state
- Supply surface water to each household, making Telangana the only state to achieve this feat
- Eliminate dependence on contaminated groundwater sources, particularly in areas affected by high fluoride content
- Improve the health of women and children by providing safe drinking water
- Allocate 10% of total water to meet industrial needs, creating employment and catalyzing economic growth
- Provide 100 Litres Per Capita Per Day (LPCD) in rural areas, 135 LPCD in urban areas, and 150 LPCD in municipal corporations
- Ensure water quality through continuous testing in departmental labs and at the field level using Chloroscopes
- Create a robust water infrastructure through construction of Overhead Service Reservoirs (OHSRs) and extensive pipeline networks
Key Features of the Scheme
Mission Bhagiratha incorporates several distinctive features that make it a unique and comprehensive drinking water initiative.
Surface Water Supply: It is the only state in India to supply surface water to each household , moving away from groundwater dependence.
Saturation Mode Coverage: The project aims to cover all households on a saturation mode , ensuring no family is left without access to clean water.
Water Quality Testing: Continuous water quality testing is carried out by experienced and qualified persons in department labs. Chloroscopes are supplied at Gram Panchayats for field water quality testing .
Dual Supply Components:
- Grid Component: Deals with bulk water supply through Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), Balancing Reservoirs (BPTs), and main pipelines
- Intra Component: Deals with household tap connections and internal distribution networks
Optical Fiber Cable Installation: Along with pipeline laying, the department also laid Optical Fiber Cable, with 465 km laid in Jogulamba Gadwal district , promoting digital connectivity alongside water supply.
Residential Institution Supply: Mission Bhagiratha supplies drinking water daily to 83 residential institutions in Bhadradri Kothagudem district .
Industry Allocation: 10% of total water is earmarked to meet industrial needs, which in turn creates employment and catalyzes economic growth .
Water Supply Standards and Infrastructure
Mission Bhagiratha follows stringent water supply standards based on population density and area type.
Water Supply Standards:
| Area Type | Supply Rate (LPCD) |
|---|---|
| Rural Areas | 100 Litres Per Capita Per Day |
| Urban Areas (Municipalities) | 135 Litres Per Capita Per Day |
| Municipal Corporations | 150 Litres Per Capita Per Day |
| Industrial Allocation | 10% of total water |
Water Sources:
| River | Allocation |
|---|---|
| River Godavari | 53.68 TMC |
| River Krishna | 32.43 TMC |
Infrastructure Components:
- Water Treatment Plants (WTP): Treat raw water from rivers to make it potable
- Overhead Service Reservoirs (OHSR): Store treated water for distribution
- Balancing Reservoirs (BPT): Regulate water flow in the grid
- Ground Level Balancing Reservoirs (GLBR): Store water at ground level for pumping
- Pumping Stations: Pump raw and treated water across the grid
Infrastructure Status Across Districts
Mission Bhagiratha has created significant infrastructure across Telangana. Here are some district-wise statistics:
Bhadradri Kothagudem District :
| Infrastructure Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| New OHSRs | 820 |
| Old OHSRs | 727 |
| Total OHSRs | 1,547 |
| New Pipeline | 2,209.58 K.M |
| Old Pipeline | 878.29 K.M |
| Total Pipeline | 3,087.87 K.M |
| New Household Connections | 204,552 |
| Old Household Connections | 34,445 |
| Total Household Connections | 239,997 |
| Total Habitations | 1,519 |
| Population (Rural) | 8,34,753 |
Khammam District :
| Infrastructure Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Total Project Cost | ₹1,666.24 Crores |
| Total Habitations | 969 |
| Daily Water Supply to Habitations | 960 |
| Old OHSRs Renovated & Painted | 901 |
| New OHSRs Constructed | 582 |
| Total Pipeline Sanctioned | 2,203.42 K.M |
| Pipeline Laid & Commissioned | 2,194.38 K.M |
| Stabilized Habitations | 920 |
Jogulamba Gadwal District :
| Infrastructure Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Total Estimate Cost | ₹700 Crores |
| Total Habitations | 313 |
| Total Municipalities | 4 |
| Water Treatment Plants | 1 |
| Balancing Reservoirs (BPTs) | 13 |
| GLBRs | 5 |
| Total Pipeline Length | 1,019.33 K.M |
| Pipeline Laid | 1,019.30 K.M |
| Optical Fiber Cable Laid | 465 K.M |
Jangaon District :
| Infrastructure Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Grid Scheme Cost | ₹840 Crores |
| Balancing Reservoirs | 21 |
| Main Grid Pipeline | 1,284.03 K.M |
| Intra Village Scheme Cost | ₹212.73 Crores |
| Intra Village Pipeline | 1,211.76 K.M |
| New OHSRs | 443 |
| Household Connections | 1,29,847 |
Implementation Status
Mission Bhagiratha is currently in the Operation & Maintenance phase, having been commissioned in 2018 . However, the scheme continues to require substantial financial support.
Financial Status:
- Total Project Cost: ₹43,791 crores
- Loans: ₹32,000 crores from financial institutions
- Annual Interest: ₹1,185 crores
- Annual Maintenance and Power: ₹1,527 crores
- Total Annual Expenditure: Approximately ₹5,000 crores
Government Support Request:
Panchayat Raj Minister Seethakka has urged the Central Government to provide ₹16,000 crore as recommended by NITI Aayog to sustain the scheme, stating that the state receives praise but no financial assistance from the Centre .
Feedback Drive (2026):
A major feedback drive was completed covering 12,457 out of 12,728 gram panchayats, with officials contacting Sarpanches by phone over a ten-day period. The feedback covered 16 key areas including water supply regularity, quality, tank cleanliness, chlorination, pipeline leakages, pump performance, and household tap connections . Minister Seethakka reviewed the findings and directed officials to resolve all identified problems by April 15, 2026 .
Operational Components
Mission Bhagiratha operates through two main components: Grid and Intra.
Grid Component:
The Grid component deals with bulk water supply from source to storage points.
Key Activities:
- Construction of Water Treatment Plants (WTPs)
- Construction of Balancing Reservoirs (BPTs) and GLBRs
- Laying of main pipelines (MS, DI, HDPE)
- Raw water pumping from rivers
Godavari-Dummugudem Segment (Bhadradri Kothagudem):
- Intake well located at Kummarigudem on Godavari River
- Raw water pumping to 40 MLD WTP at Rathamgutta
- Supply to 345 habitations in Pinapaka Constituency
- Further pumping to 145 MLD WTP at Thoggudem, supplying 837 habitations
Parnasala Sub-segment:
- Intake well at Parnasala on Godavari River
- 13.5 MLD WTP at Parnasala
- Supply to 186 habitations in Dummugudem and Cherla mandals
Bhadrachalam Town Segment:
- Intake well on Godavari River
- 12 MLD WTP at Ranganayakula gutta
- Supply to Bhadrachalam town
Intra Component:
The Intra component deals with household-level distribution.
Key Activities:
- Construction of Overhead Service Reservoirs (OHSRs)
- Laying of intra-village pipeline networks
- Provision of household service connections
- Distribution of water from OHSRs to individual households
Nirmal District Example:
- 437 OHSRs constructed
- 1,737 K.M pipeline laid
- 1,49,072 household connections provided
Application and Enrollment Process
For obtaining new household connections or bulk supply connections:
For Bulk Water Supply Applications:
- Industries, institutions, residential colonies, and private organizations can apply online through the official website
Direct Link:
- http://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in
For Household Tap Connections:
- Household connections are provided under the Mission Bhagiratha programme to every household
- For any clarification or problems, approach the concerned Deputy Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineer of the locality
Helpline:
- Toll-free Number: 1916
Documents Required
While Mission Bhagiratha is primarily a government infrastructure project rather than an individual beneficiary scheme, residents may need certain documents for new connections.
For New Household Connections:
- Aadhaar Card of the head of household
- Proof of Residence (Electricity Bill, Ration Card)
- Property ownership documents
- Land records (for rural areas)
- Completed application form from the concerned AE office
For Bulk Supply:
- Organization/Institution registration documents
- Water requirement assessment details
- Aadhaar of authorized representative
- Application online through http://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in
Water Quality and Safety
Mission Bhagiratha places significant emphasis on water quality assurance.
Quality Testing Mechanisms:
- Continuous water quality testing by experienced and qualified persons in Department labs
- Chloroscopes supplied at Gram Panchayats for field-level Water Quality Testing
- All water is treated at Water Treatment Plants before distribution
Health Impact:
- Health of women and child growth rate has improved
- Safe surface water eliminates reliance on groundwater contaminated with fluoride
Challenges and Concerns
While Mission Bhagiratha has been largely successful, several challenges persist.
Operational Challenges:
Pipeline Leakages: Inefficiencies in maintenance have been reported. A Mission Bhagiratha pipeline near Nallagoda village in Jagtial developed a major leakage shortly after repair works were completed, with water jetting over 10 ft into the air and inundating the road .
Safety Concerns: A five-year-old girl drowned in a water-filled pit dug for Mission Bhagiratha pipeline repairs in Jangaon district, leading to allegations of negligence and protests by villagers .
Financial Challenges:
High Annual Cost: Telangana spends approximately ₹5,000 crore annually on the scheme .
Interest Burden: The state pays ₹1,185 crore in interest annually on loans taken for the project .
Centre’s Non-Cooperation: Despite NITI Aayog recommending ₹16,000 crore support, the Central Government has not provided the funds .
Historical Implementation Issues:
A 2019 report highlighted that while 80% of pipeline laying was completed, residents in Jangaon district were still dependent on private water plants and purchasing drinking water, despite having official connections .
Recent Developments (2026)
Helpline Launch:
A Mission Bhagiratha helpline was launched for people to lodge complaints regarding water supply issues .
Feedback Drive Completion:
Over March 2026, a comprehensive feedback drive was completed, with officials contacting Sarpanches from 12,457 gram panchayats .
Mandate for Issue Resolution:
Minister Seethakka directed officials to resolve all identified problems by April 15, 2026, as part of the 99-day public governance action plan .
Remote Village Coverage:
Instructions were given that open wells be dug in remote villages without Mission Bhagiratha coverage, and check dams be built in tribal and agency areas before the monsoon season .
Recognition:
The project has received recognition as a model for other states, with Madhya Pradesh reportedly planning to copy the scheme under the name ‘Har Ghar Nal, Har Ghar Jal’ .
Important Links and PDF Notifications
Official Websites:
Mission Bhagiratha Official Portal: http://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in
Government of Telangana: https://www.telangana.gov.in
Helpline:
Toll-free Number: 1916
District-wise Contacts:
Khammam District Contacts (Rural Water Supply):
| Designation | Name | Mobile Number |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Engineer (Rural) | D. Pushpalatha | 9100122240 |
| Dy. Executive Engineer, PR SD, Khammam | Ch. Omprakash | 8142229945 |
| Dy. Executive Engineer, PR SD, Wyra | P. Naveenkumar | 8790870839 |
| Dy. Executive Engineer, PR SD, Madhira | D. Narasimha Rao | 9100120586 |
| Dy. Executive Engineer, PR SD, Sathupally | T. Swaruparani | 7995660276 |
Bulk Supply Application Link:
- http://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Mission Bhagiratha?
Mission Bhagiratha is a flagship programme of the Telangana Government that provides safe, adequate, sustainable and treated drinking water to every household in rural and urban areas of the state .
What is the water supply target under the scheme?
100 LPCD in rural areas, 135 LPCD in urban areas, and 150 LPCD in municipal corporations .
Where does Mission Bhagiratha source water from?
Water is sourced from River Godavari (53.68 TMC) and River Krishna (32.43 TMC) .
How can I apply for a new household connection?
Contact the concerned Deputy Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineer of your locality, or visit http://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in .
What is the toll-free helpline number?
The toll-free helpline number is 1916 .
How much did the project cost?
The total budget is ₹43,791 crores .
Is the scheme still active?
Yes, the scheme is currently in the Operation and Maintenance phase, with active monitoring by the government .
What should I do if there is a pipeline leakage?
Contact the local Assistant Engineer or Deputy Executive Engineer, or call the toll-free helpline 1916 .
Can industries get water under Mission Bhagiratha?
Yes, 10% of total water is earmarked for industrial needs. Industries can apply online through http://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in .
What is the difference between Grid and Intra components?
Grid deals with bulk water supply through WTPs and main pipelines, while Intra deals with household tap connections and internal distribution networks .