Jal Jeevan Mission: Over 15 Crore Rural Households Now Supplied with Tap Water

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a significant milestone by providing tap water connections to over 15 crore rural households across India. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C R Paatil, praised the initiative, highlighting its impact on improving quality of life. The mission aims for 100% coverage by year-end.

More than 15 crore rural households have been provided with tap water connections, according to official data released today.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C R Paatil, hailed the achievement, noting that it has significantly improved the quality of life for millions of people. 'This golden milestone has not only given a gift of pure water to countrymen but also uniquely improved their quality of life,' said Paatil in a statement.

Since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in 2019, 77.65 per cent or 15,00,27,135 rural households have received tap water connections. The mission has gained traction through collaboration with states, Union Territories (UTs), and development partners. This year, all rural households are expected to receive connections under the JJM.

States and UTs with 100% coverage include Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Near-complete coverage is reported in Bihar (96.08%), Uttarakhand (95.02%), Ladakh (93.25%), and Nagaland (91.58%).

The statement cited that 2.28 lakh villages and 190 districts have achieved 'Har Ghar Jal' status, with 100 districts and 1.25 lakh villages certified.

Furthermore, 5.24 lakh Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and 5.12 lakh Village Action Plans (VAPs) have been established for outlining water supply needs and implementation schedules. Ensuring water quality, the mission has set up 2,163 laboratories and trained over 24.59 lakh women to use Field Testing Kits (FTKs). All arsenic and fluoride-affected areas now have access to safe drinking water.

JJM's reach extends to public facilities, with 88.91 per cent of schools and 85.08 per cent of anganwadi centres receiving tap water. In aspirational districts, the number of households with tap water has soared from 21.38 lakh at launch to 2.11 crore as of July 23, 2024.

(With inputs from agencies.)