Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, March 24: More than 12.3 crore additional rural households have received tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal initiative, as of March 17, 2025. Launched in August 2019, the scheme aims to provide clean and safe drinking water to every rural household in India, the Parliament was informed on Monday.
According to Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, the number of rural households with tap water connections has surged from 3.23 crore (16.7%) in August 2019 to 15.53 crore (80.2%) as of March 17, 2025. The remaining 3.83 crore households are in various stages of completion as per the respective state and union territory (UT) plans.
The initial budget for the mission was ?3.60 lakh crore, with ?2.08 lakh crore allocated as the Central share. The Cabinet-approved funds have been nearly exhausted. However, in her 2025-26 Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with an enhanced outlay.
Implemented in partnership with states, the mission ensures a functional tap water connection providing 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd) of potable water, adhering to quality standards on a regular and long-term basis. While water supply is a state subject, planning, execution, and maintenance of drinking water schemes lie with state and UT governments. The Centre has actively guided states through review meetings, field visits, and advisory interventions to maintain the functionality and quality of tap water connections.
To strengthen water quality monitoring and surveillance, 2% of the funds allocated to states and UTs are dedicated to improving water testing facilities. This includes setting up and upgrading water quality laboratories, procuring Field Test Kits (FTKs) and H2S vials, and ensuring NABL accreditation of labs. The initiative also involves local community participation, with states required to train five women from each Gram Panchayat to conduct water quality tests at the grassroots level.
Additionally, water quality testing is being prioritized in schools, anganwadis, and Gram Panchayats, especially for detecting contaminants like arsenic and fluoride. States and UTs have been directed to conduct regular water quality tests and take remedial action wherever necessary to ensure compliance with JJM standards.
The Jal Jeevan Mission continues to play a crucial role in transforming rural water supply infrastructure, bringing safe drinking water to millions of households across India.