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15.79 Crore Rural Homes Get Tap Water, Saving Women 5.5 Crore Hours Daily

The Jal Jeevan Mission has provided functional tap water connections to over 15.79 crore rural households, covering 81.57% of such homes. The mission's timeline has been extended to December 2028 in the latest Union Budget. The WHO estimates its success will save Indian women 5.5 crore hours daily previously spent fetching water and prevent nearly 400,000 deaths from diarrhoeal diseases. The initiative also promotes community participation through local water committees and a dedicated water conservation campaign.

Key Points: 81% Rural Homes Have Tap Water Under Jal Jeevan Mission

  • 81.57% rural households now have tap water
  • Mission extended to December 2028
  • Projected to save women 5.5 crore daily hours
  • Could prevent 400,000 diarrhoeal deaths
  • Significant job creation estimated
2 min read

15.79 crore rural households given tap water connections under JJM: Centre

Jal Jeevan Mission covers 15.79 crore rural households with tap water, projected to save women crores of hours and prevent lakhs of deaths.

"achieving the Mission's goals will save the country's women 5.5 crore hours daily - World Health Organisation"

New Delhi, Feb 2

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, over 15.79 crore or 81.57 per cent rural households have been provided functional tap water connections, up from 3.24 crore or 16.71 per cent in August 2019, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, said that as per data updated by States/UTs on the IMIS portal till December 31, 2024, a total of 189 districts and 2,50,021 villages were reported to be covered under 'Har Ghar Jal'.

Informing that in the Union Budget 2025-26, the Finance Minister has extended the Mission to December 2028, the MoS said the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that achieving the Mission's goals will save the country's women 5.5 crore hours daily, previously spent collecting water and prevent nearly 400,000 deaths from diarrhoeal diseases.

Somanna said Nobel laureate Michael Kremer suggests safe water coverage could reduce under-five child mortality by almost 30 per cent and research by IIM Bangalore and the ILO projects significant job creation, estimating millions of person-years of direct and indirect employment through the Mission's implementation phases.

He said that in order to encourage community participation, the operational guidelines for the implementation of JJM provide for constitution of a Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC)/Paani Samiti/User Group to carry out the responsibilities of water supply management in the village.

This Committee typically consists of 10-15 members including up to 25 per cent elected panchayat members, 50 per cent women, and members from weaker section (SC/ST) in proportion to their population, out of the remaining 25 per cent.

Also, a special initiative Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB), under Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Catch the rain (CTR), campaign was launched on September 6, 2024, which aims to promote collaborative community-driven water conservation efforts and focusses on enhancing water management through low-cost, scientifically-designed artificial recharge structures, ensuring active participation from local communities, industries, and other stakeholders.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great progress on paper, but the key word is "functional" tap connections. In our village in Bihar, the tap was installed last year but water comes only for 30 minutes in the evening. The infrastructure is there, but the supply isn't consistent. Hope the extension till 2028 fixes these operational issues.
A
Arjun K
The focus on community participation through the Paani Samiti with 50% women is a masterstroke. When women are in charge of water management at the village level, you know the work will get done properly. This is nation-building at the grassroots.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked in public health, the potential to prevent 400,000 diarrhoeal deaths is staggering. Clean water is the first line of defense. Combining this with the Jal Sanchay campaign for water conservation is the right long-term approach. Sustainability is key.
V
Vikram M
From 16% to over 81% in about 5 years? That's an incredible pace of implementation. The job creation angle from IIM-B study is also very important. Hope the quality of construction and pipes is maintained so we don't face leakages and repairs later.
K
Kavya N
My didi in the village finally has a tap in her courtyard. She sent a video, her smile said it all. No more waiting in line at the handpump. This is what development should feel like. Hope every single household gets it soon. ❤️

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