Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a remarkable feat by providing tap water connections to a staggering 14 Crore (72.71%) rural households. Launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, this flagship initiative of the Government of India has demonstrated unprecedented speed and scale, witnessing a substantial increase in rural tap connection coverage from 3 Crore to an astounding 14 Crore in just four years.
Unprecedented Speed and Scale
The heart of this transformation lies in the combined efforts of the Union and State governments, along with the active participation of development partners. Every second, a tap water connection is installed, marking a paradigm shift in the rural landscape. More than 2 lakh villages and 161 districts are now proudly proclaiming ‘Har Ghar Jal.’
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States and Union Territories Achieving 100% Coverage
Six states – Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh – and three Union Territories – Puducherry, D&D and D&NH, and A&N Islands – have achieved 100% coverage. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar are also on track to reaching saturation with coverage percentages of 98.68%, 98.48%, and 96.42%, respectively.
Impact on Health and Education
JJM‘s implementation of water purification and treatment methods ensures that households receive water meeting quality standards, significantly reducing waterborne diseases and improving overall health in rural communities. In addition to household connections, the mission has also ensured tap water supply in 90.65% of schools and 86.63% of anganwadi centers nationwide.
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Socio-Economic Empowerment
The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ initiative is bringing substantial socio-economic benefits, liberating the rural population, especially women and young girls, from the burdensome task of fetching water daily. The time saved is now redirected towards income-generating activities, skill development, and supporting children’s education.
Sustainable Model for Community Development
JJM’s sustainable model aims to ensure the longevity of infrastructure and promotes community-led development. With over 5.29 lakh Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSC)/ Pani Samitis and 5.17 lakh Village Action Plans (VAPs), focusing on drinking water source management, greywater treatment, and regular O&M of in-village water supply systems, the mission is creating a lasting impact. Over 23.55 lakh women have been trained for testing water samples using Field Testing Kits (FTK), ensuring water quality.
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Towards Sustainable Development Goal 6
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. The 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.
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