The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a significant milestone by extending tap water connections to 130 million rural households, effectively integrating them into the public water system. This transformative mission, characterized by its emphasis on “speed and scale,” has remarkably expanded the coverage of rural tap connections from a mere 3.23 million homes at its inception in August 2019 to 13 million within a span of just four years. It is noteworthy that this announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the nation’s 73rd Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2019.
As of September 5, 2023, six states, including Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, have achieved 100% coverage, along with three Union Territories – Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Bihar is poised to reach a saturation rate of 96.39%, while Mizoram is nearing 92.12% coverage. States and Union Territories such as Goa, Haryana, Punjab, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli are recognized as “Har Ghar Jal” certified, signifying that villagers in these areas have confirmed through Gram Sabhas that “all households and public institutions” receive a consistent, safe, and sufficient water supply.
Nationwide, 145 districts and 186,818 villages proudly report 100% coverage under the Mission’s umbrella. The collaborative efforts of States/UTs, development partners, and various stakeholders are instrumental in driving this remarkable transformation. Every passing second sees the installation of a new tap water connection, reshaping the rural landscape of the nation.
Since January 1, 2023, an average of 87,500 tap connections per day have been provided. Uttar Pradesh has excelled in installing 6.105 million Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) since the beginning of 2023, placing it at the forefront of progress in the current fiscal year.
Thanks to the unwavering efforts of both Union and State governments, tap water is now accessible in 915,000 (88.73%) schools and 952,000 (84.69%) Anganwadi centers nationwide. At the commencement of the Mission, only 7.86% of households in the 112 aspirational districts had access to tap water, a number that has now surged to 66.48%, totaling 18.1 million households.
The impact of “Har Ghar Jal” extends far beyond improved water access, delivering significant socioeconomic benefits to rural residents. Routine tap water supply has liberated people, particularly women and young girls, from the age-old burden of carrying heavy loads of water for their daily needs.
Community involvement remains pivotal in the planning, execution, operation, and maintenance of rural piped water delivery projects to ensure long-term sustainability. Across the nation, more than 527,000 Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC)/Pani Samitis have been established, and 512,000 Village Action Plans (VAPs) have been formulated. These plans encompass strategies to enhance drinking water sources, treat and reuse greywater, and perform regular maintenance on in-village water supply systems.
At the outset of the Jal Jeevan Mission, 22,016 habitations with a combined population of 17.9 million were plagued by arsenic/fluoride contamination in their drinking water sources. According to States/UTs, all affected areas now have access to safe drinking water, with rigorous monitoring and testing of water samples at both the source and delivery points.
By providing safe tap water to all rural households, schools, anganwadis, and public institutions, the Jal Jeevan Mission is actively contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to provide safe and affordable water to all. This mission aligns with its motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas,” emphasizing inclusive development and trust in collective efforts.
