Jal Jeevan Mission provides safe drinking water to over 12 crore rural households: govt

The mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, with only 3.23 crore rural households having access to piped water connections at that time. However, as on date, five states – Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab – and three union territories – Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands – have reported 100% coverage.

Himachal Pradesh at 98.35% and Bihar at 96.05% are also poised to achieve saturation in the near future. The states of Goa, Haryana, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu have been certified as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ states/UTs, where villagers have confirmed that all households and public institutions in the village are getting adequate, safe, and regular water supply.

According to the ministry, the relentless efforts of the union and state governments have also resulted in providing tap water supply in 9.06 lakh (88.55%) schools and 9.39 lakh (84%) anganwadi centers across the country.

At the time of launch of the JJM, only 21.64 lakh (7.84%) households had access to tap water in the 112 aspirational districts of the country. However, this has now increased to 1.67 crore (60.51%) households. Three aspirational districts from Telangana, two from Gujarat, and one each from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh have reported 100% tap water coverage.

The JJM has resulted in significant socio-economic benefits for the rural population. Regular tap water supply has relieved people, especially women and young girls, from the burden of carrying heavy buckets of water to meet their daily household needs, thereby reducing age-old drudgery. The saved time can be used for income generation activities, learning new skills, and supporting children’s education.

To ensure long-term sustainability of the schemes, community participation has been at the heart of planning, implementation, operations, and maintenance (O&M) of rural piped water supply schemes. More than 5.24 lakh Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC)/ Pani Samitis have been formed in the country, and 5.12 lakh Village Action Plans (VAPs) have been prepared, including plans for drinking water source augmentation, greywater treatment and its reuse, and regular O&M of in-village water supply systems.

The JJM is working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6, i.e., safe and affordable water for all, through the provision of safe water through taps to all households, schools, anganwadis, and other public institutions in rural areas. The mission is marching forward to achieve its goal with the motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas.”