Navigating India’s Legal Governance in Water Sector: A Scrutiny into National Performance Under SDG Framework for Clean and Wastewater Management in India

Abstract

The 2021 report by the Indian Central Pollution Control Board on the "National Inventory of
Sewage Treatment Plants" reveals a concerning statistic: only 28% (72,368 Megaliters per Day)
of the daily sewage waste generated by urban India is treated and reused. This highlights a
significant gap in the country’s wastewater management systems. The gap is further evidenced
by high levels of non-revenue water, which adversely affect both per capita water supply and
cost recovery for utilities, thereby exacerbating water shortages.
In light of these challenges, this research aims to assess the role of law in ensuring access to
domestic water use, specifically in relation to wastewater management and drinking water access
in India. The study examines the impact of legal and policy initiatives within the framework of
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular focus on Goal 6, while also
considering international standards and best practices and its enforcement and applicability in
India. The paper critically analyzes Indian legal framework including flagship initiatives by
India’s Union Government, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
and Urban Transformation, and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), to identify associated
challenges and legal responses. Additionally, a case study of the industrial district of Mancheswar
in Bhubaneswar, India, is presented to examine the environmental and social implications of
aging industries in the region. Data for this study was collected from academic literature and
secondary statistical sources, employing doctrinal, analytical, and empirical methods.
Ultimately, the research aims to identify implementation gaps within the legal framework to
enhance wastewater regulations and align them more effectively with India's broader social
security objectives.