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The purpose of this Development Role Manual for Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM (G)] is to create an enabling mechanism for improved implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) at the cutting edge, leading to enhanced outcomes in nature and extent. Accordingly, it would act as a guide for implementation by the District Collector and key District-level functionaries, enable quick learning, implementation modalities, roles and responsibilities of the various functionaries as well as stakeholders etc.

A huge quantity of sewage which is generated in rural and urban areas remains untreated and disposed off in water bodies as is due to the limited capacities of centralised treatment. In order to rejuvenate the rivers and lakes it is extremely necessary to stop the flow of untreated waste from river basin to rivers. In order to make this feasible, selection of technology should consider working of the plant without electricity, requiring minimum maintenance and most importantly capacity to becoming self sustainable. This necessitates the use of natural methods, which are highly efficient and structured. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has developed a novel technology based on natural method of treatment of sewage using constructed wetlands named Phytorid and is well patented nationally and internationally.

A Niti Aayog report states that 21 major cities in India (including New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad) are all set to run out of groundwater. India’s per capita water availability is expected to further decline to 1465 cubic metre by 2025. By 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds of millions of people.