The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a monumental endeavor aimed at ensuring access to clean tap water in rural India, has achieved a remarkable milestone. Today, 13 crore rural households have tap water connections, marking a significant leap from the 3.23 crore households covered at the inception of the mission in August 2019. This achievement underscores the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for rural communities and addressing their water needs.
A Visionary Announcement
The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched on August 15, 2019, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the 73rd Independence Day celebrations. Since then, it has made substantial progress in extending the benefits of clean and accessible tap water to rural households across the country.
States and Union Territories Leading the Way
The success of the mission is evident as six states (Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh) and three Union Territories (Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands) have already achieved 100% tap water connection coverage. Bihar, at 96.39%, and Mizoram, at 92.12%, are also on the verge of achieving saturation in the near future. These states and union territories have earned the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certification, signifying that every household and public institution in their villages receives a safe and regular water supply.
Expanding Access at an Unprecedented Pace
The Jal Jeevan Mission is known for its speed and scale. On average, 87,500 tap connections have been installed every day since January 1, 2023, marking a significant transformation in rural India’s water landscape. Uttar Pradesh leads the progress chart this fiscal year, with 61.05 lakh Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) installed since January 2023.
Water Supply Beyond Homes
The mission’s relentless efforts have not only provided tap water supply to households but have also extended to schools and Anganwadi centers. Currently, 88.73% of schools and 84.69% of Anganwadi centers in the country have access to tap water supply.
Transforming Aspirational Districts
In the 112 aspirational districts of India, only 21.41 lakh households had access to tap water at the time of the mission’s launch. This number has now soared to 1.81 crore households, demonstrating the transformative impact of ‘Har Ghar Jal.’
Socio-Economic Benefits
The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ initiative is delivering significant socio-economic benefits to rural populations. Access to regular tap water supply reduces the arduous task of carrying heavy water loads, particularly for women and young girls. This time-saving opportunity can be channeled into income-generating activities, skill development, and supporting children’s education.
Community Participation and Quality Assurance
Community participation has been central to the planning, implementation, operations, and maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes. Over 5.27 lakh Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC)/Pani Samitis have been formed, and 5.12 lakh Village Action Plans (VAPs) have been prepared, focusing on drinking water source augmentation, greywater treatment, reuse, and regular maintenance.
The mission also ensures the quality of water supplied by conducting regular testing of water samples from sources and delivery points.
Overcoming Contamination Challenges
JJM has made substantial strides in overcoming water contamination challenges. At the time of its launch, 22,016 habitations were affected by arsenic (14,020) and fluoride (7,996) contamination, affecting 1.79 crore people. Today, safe drinking water is available in all these habitats.
The Jal Jeevan Mission is not merely about providing water; it is about ensuring the consistent delivery of safe and quality water. Recognizing its exceptional work, the Department of Personnel & Training awarded the WQMIS with a Silver Award for “Application of emerging technologies for promoting citizen-centric services.”
In alignment with the motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, aur Sabka Prayas” (Together with all, development for all, trust of all, and efforts of all), the Jal Jeevan Mission is making significant strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) – safe and affordable water for all. Through the provision of safe water via taps to households, schools, anganwadis, and other public institutions in rural areas, the
