Published: 16 March 2026PIB / Millennium Post / The PrintGovernance
AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026: MoHUA Celebrates 45,000+ Women SHGs Driving Urban Water Management Under AMRUT 2.0
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organised the 'AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister Manohar Lal. The national-level event celebrated the outstanding contributions of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) — called AMRUT Mitras — who have played a pivotal role in transforming urban water management under the AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme. Over 1,000 women representatives and approximately 300 officials from 30 States and Union Territories participated.
Currently, more than 45,000 SHG members are actively engaged across 1,910 cities in 34 States/UTs. These AMRUT Mitras undertake water quality testing, billing and collection, community mobilisation, Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) operations, and operation and maintenance of water assets. The Minister announced a vision to expand the model from 1,910 cities to 5,000 cities. New areas include digital water management, smart metering, reuse of treated wastewater, and leading city-level IEC campaigns for water conservation.
For Rajasthan — a chronically water-scarce state — the AMRUT 2.0 programme holds special significance. Cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Bikaner have benefited from upgraded water supply infrastructure under the scheme, with women-led community engagement improving billing efficiency and reducing non-revenue water losses.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the role of women SHGs as AMRUT Mitras in transforming urban water management under AMRUT 2.0.
Answer (50 words):
MoHUA hosted AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, celebrating over 45,000 women SHG members active across 1,910 cities. These AMRUT Mitras undertake water quality testing, billing, and community mobilisation. Minister Manohar Lal announced expansion to 5,000 cities with new roles in smart metering and digital water management.
6-axis classification
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
Consider the following statements about the AMRUT 2.0 scheme and AMRUT Mitras:
1. AMRUT stands for Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation.
2. AMRUT Mitras are women SHG members engaged in urban water management activities under AMRUT 2.0.
3. As of the AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026, over 45,000 SHG members are active across 1,910 cities.
4. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation · Correct answer AStatements 1, 2, and 3 are correct. AMRUT stands for Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation — Statement 1 correct. AMRUT Mitras are women SHG members engaged in water quality testing, billing, FSM operations and O&M under AMRUT 2.0 — Statement 2 correct. The AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 confirmed over 45,000 members active across 1,910 cities in 34 States/UTs — Statement 3 correct. Statement 4 is INCORRECT — AMRUT 2.0 is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), NOT the Ministry of Jal Shakti (which implements Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange).
Frequently asked questions
What is AMRUT 2.0 and what is the full form of AMRUT?
AMRUT stands for Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. AMRUT 2.0 is the second phase of this centrally sponsored urban development scheme, which focuses on providing 100% water supply coverage and improving sewerage and septage management in all statutory towns across India.
Who are AMRUT Mitras and what do they do?
AMRUT Mitras are women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engaged under AMRUT 2.0 to manage urban water infrastructure at the grassroots level. They handle tasks such as water billing, community outreach, meter reading, and customer grievance redressal. As of the Mahotsav, over 45,000 AMRUT Mitras were active in 1,910 cities.
What was AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 and where was it held?
AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026 was an event organised by MoHUA (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) at Bharat Mandapam to celebrate and recognise the contributions of 45,000+ women SHGs (AMRUT Mitras) active under AMRUT 2.0. Union Minister Manohar Lal announced the expansion of the programme to 5,000 cities at this event.
What new roles were announced for AMRUT Mitras at the Mahotsav 2026?
At AMRUT Mitra Mahotsav 2026, Union Minister Manohar Lal announced that AMRUT Mitras would take on new roles in smart metering operations and digital water management. The programme was also announced to expand from 1,910 cities to 5,000 cities across India, deepening women-led urban governance.
How does AMRUT Mitra align with the Jal Jeevan Mission and gender-inclusive urban development?
AMRUT Mitra places women SHGs at the centre of urban water management, directly supporting the government's gender-inclusive development agenda. It aligns with Jal Jeevan Mission targets for universal water access by ensuring community-level monitoring, accountability, and outreach are led by women, particularly in underserved urban areas.
