The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at providing tap water connections to rural households, has achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 14 Crore (72.71%) rural households. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the mission's launch on August 15, 2019, and in only four years, it has increased the coverage of rural tap connections from 3 crore to an incredible 14 crore. This is an extraordinary speed and magnitude for such a project.
Guided by the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas,’ Jal Jeevan Mission is steadfastly moving towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 – providing safe and affordable water to all.
Jal Jeevan Mission: Unprecedented Speed and Scale
The achievement underscores a paradigm shift in rural development, emphasizing the mission's commitment to water quality, community empowerment, and sustainable practices. The collaborative efforts of the Union and State governments, along with various development partners, have played a pivotal role in this transformation. The installation of a tap water connection every second is reshaping the rural landscape, with over 2 lakh villages and 161 districts now proudly boasting 'Har Ghar Jal' (water in every home).
States and UTs Leading the Way
Six states – Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, along with three Union Territories (Puducherry, D&D and D&NH, and A&N Islands), have achieved 100% coverage. Mizoram (98.68%), Arunachal Pradesh (98.48%), and Bihar (96.42%) are on track to achieve saturation soon. This accomplishment highlights the success of the mission in ensuring widespread access to clean and safe water.
Apart from household connections, JJM has ensured tap water supply in 9.24 lakh (90.65%) schools and 9.57 lakh (86.63%) anganwadi centers nationwide. The implementation of water purification and treatment methods has significantly reduced waterborne diseases, improving overall health in rural communities. Tap water access in the 112 aspirational districts has surged from 7.86% at the time of launch to an impressive 72.08% today.
Socio-Economic Benefits and Liberation of Women
The 'Har Ghar Jal' initiative is bringing substantial socio-economic benefits by liberating rural populations, particularly women and young girls, from the daily task of fetching water. The time saved is redirected towards income-generating activities, skill development, and supporting children's education, fostering economic growth and community development.
Sustainable Model and Community-Led Development
JJM's sustainable model aims to ensure the longevity of the infrastructure and promotes community-led development. Over 5.29 lakh Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC)/ Pani Samitis have been constituted, along with the preparation of 5.17 lakh Village Action Plans (VAPs). These plans focus on drinking water source management, greywater treatment, and the regular operation and maintenance of in-village water supply systems. More than 23.55 lakh women have been trained for testing water samples using Field Testing Kits (FTK) to ensure water quality.
Jal Jeevan Mission's commitment to delivering safe water through taps to all households, schools, anganwadis, and public institutions in rural areas perfectly aligns with the objectives of Viksit Bharat.
