Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches 12 Crore Tap Water Connections Milestone

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches 12 Crore Tap Water Connections Milestone

The Ministry of Jal Shakti announced that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has accomplished a significant achievement by successfully providing safe and clean drinking water through tap connections to more than 12 crore rural households across the country.

Progress and State-wise Coverage of Jal Jeevan Mission

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission began with only 3.23 crore rural households having access to piped water connections. However, as of now, five states - Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab - along with three union territories - Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands - have reported achieving 100% tap water coverage.

Himachal Pradesh, at 98.35%, and Bihar, at 96.05%, are also rapidly progressing towards achieving saturation in the near future. Several states and union territories, including 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, indicating that all households and public institutions in the villages under their jurisdiction receive sufficient, safe, and regular water supply.

According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the dedicated efforts of both the central and state governments have resulted in the provision of tap water supply in 9.06 lakh (88.55%) schools and 9.39 lakh (84%) anganwadi centers across the country.

Socio-economic Impact of Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission has brought significant socio-economic benefits to the rural population. The regular supply of tap water has relieved individuals, particularly women and young girls, from the burdensome task of carrying heavy water buckets daily to meet their household needs, thus reducing long-standing drudgery. The saved time can now be utilized for income generation activities, acquiring new skills, and supporting children's education.

Community Participation and Sustainable Development Goals

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the mission, community participation has been a key aspect of planning, implementation, and maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes. More than 5.24 lakh Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC)/ Pani Samitis have been established, and 5.12 lakh Village Action Plans (VAPs) have been prepared. These plans include strategies for drinking water source augmentation, greywater treatment and reuse, and regular operations and maintenance of in-village water supply systems.

The Jal Jeevan Mission aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to provide safe and affordable water for all. By ensuring tap water connections to households, schools, anganwadis, and other public institutions in rural areas, the mission is steadily progressing towards achieving its goal. The motto of the mission, "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas

ThinkWithNiche News' conclusion

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a flagship program of the Government of India launched on August 15, 2019, with the goal of providing safe and clean drinking water through taps to all rural households by 2024. The mission has made significant progress in a short span of time, and has already achieved the milestone of providing tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households. This is a major achievement, and will have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people, especially women and children.

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."