New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS): A total of 76 start-ups have been onboarded under the 'India Water Pitch-Pilot-Scale Start-Up Challenge' by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

The shortlisted start-ups will be provided financial support of up to Rs 20 lakh each to work in the fields of water supply, used water management, water body rejuvenation and ground water management etc., said Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

The start-ups have been shortlisted by the Ministry through a challenge process launched in March 2022 under AMRUT 2.0 Mission. In this regard, a 'Startup Gateway' has also been launched wherein the start-ups can apply and be shortlisted by MoHUA for financial support.

During the event, the Ministry also launched a Toolkit for 'Pey Jal Survekshan' in 485 cities.

Pey Jal Survekshan, under the Jal Jeevan Mission, will assess cities with respect to the quality of water and the quality of water delivery to the citizens, along with sewerage, septage management, grievance redressal, water body conservation, ground water management, etc.

The event also witnessed the awarding of 25 best photographs from the photography competition of the MoHUA, with an award of Rs 10,000 each.

The competition was conducted for students by the Ministry under 'Mission Amrit Sarovar' to spread awareness among masses about conservation of water bodies.

Later during the event, a portal Urban Waterbody Information System (UWaIS) was also launched with help from National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad.