'Out of a total of 969 projects under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), the water and sanitation sector accounts for 828 projects,' he added.

Besides, the government has also sanctioned Rs.116 crore for the preservation of water bodies.

Speaking on the occasion, President Pratibha Patil said the 11th Plan aims to provide drinking water to everybody.

'To make this happen, it is estimated that investment to the tune of Rs.54,000 crore would be required,' she said.

'There are still many cities which have not been able to meet the preferred norm of 135 litres per capita per day of water supply,' the president said.