💧 Introduction & Need
Access to clean and safe drinking water is fundamental to public health, economic development, and social equity. In rural India, women and children often bear the burden of fetching water from distant sources, leading to time loss and exposure to health risks. To address these challenges, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in 2019, aiming to provide functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to every rural household by 2024. This initiative, under the banner of 'Har Ghar Jal,' seeks to ensure water security, improve health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life in rural areas.
🏗️ Background
The Jal Jeevan Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It emphasizes a decentralized approach, empowering village-level institutions like Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) to plan, implement, and manage water supply systems. The mission promotes community participation, sustainability, and transparency in its operations.
📈 Achievements
Since its inception, the Jal Jeevan Mission has made significant strides:
- Household Coverage: As of October 2024, approximately 15.56 crore rural households have been provided with tap water connections, covering about 80.39% of the total rural households in India.
- Real-Time Monitoring: States like Madhya Pradesh have implemented real-time monitoring systems, such as the 'Jal Darpan Portal,' to track the functionality of tap water schemes, gather beneficiary feedback, and ensure prompt issue resolution.
🔄 Current Status
The mission's progress varies across states:
- High Coverage States: States like Punjab, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar have achieved over 90% coverage and are nearing the 100% target.
- Moderate Coverage States: Andhra Pradesh has achieved 73.82% coverage, with ongoing efforts to reach full coverage.
- Greywater Management: The mission integrates greywater management to promote water reuse and sustainability. For instance, a village with a population of 1,000 generates approximately 38,000 liters of greywater daily, which can be treated and reused for non-potable purposes, reducing freshwater demand.
- Sustainability Challenges: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of water sources and infrastructure remains a challenge. Issues such as groundwater contamination, as observed in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, highlight the need for robust monitoring and maintenance systems.
🧭 Conclusion
The Jal Jeevan Mission represents a transformative step towards achieving universal access to safe drinking water in rural India. While significant progress has been made, continued efforts are required to address challenges related to sustainability, infrastructure maintenance, and equitable access. Community participation, technological innovation, and inter-sectoral coordination will be key to realizing the mission's objectives and ensuring long-term water security for all.
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