The Union Cabinet has sanctioned the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) until December 2028, accompanied by a substantial financial increase. The new budget for the mission has been set at Rs. 8.69 lakh crore. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this decision during a briefing, confirming the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s revised strategy focusing on service delivery rather than solely infrastructure development.

Restructuring for Improved Service Delivery

Under the revamped approach, the implementation of JJM will undergo significant restructuring to enhance service delivery, which is backed by initiatives in drinking water governance. The Cabinet has approved a total assistance of Rs. 3.59 lakh crore from the central government, which marks an increase from the Rs. 2.08 lakh crore allocated in the 2019-20 budget, thus providing an additional Rs. 1.51 lakh crore for the mission.

Introduction of a National Digital Framework

To streamline operations, a uniform national digital framework named “Sujalam Bharat” will be established. This framework will assign each village a unique Service Area ID, allowing for a comprehensive digital mapping of the drinking water supply system from source to tap. In order to promote transparency and accountability, local governance bodies such as gram panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will play a crucial role in the commissioning and handover of water supply schemes through a process called “Jal Arpan.” Certification of project completion by these local bodies will ensure that adequate in-village maintenance mechanisms are put in place before declaring a village “Har Ghar Jal.”

Community Participation and Ownership

Community engagement is being prioritized in the program’s design to enhance efficiency and promote sustainability of water sources. The initiative will highlight “Jal Utsav,” an annual event that encourages community participation in the maintenance and review of water supply systems, while integrating local cultural practices and emphasizing collective responsibility for water security.

Current Achievements in Water Accessibility

Currently, the mission has successfully expanded tap water connections from 3.23 crore (17%) rural households in 2019 to over 12.56 crore additional households. With 19.36 crore rural households identified across the nation, approximately 15.80 crore (81.61%) of these are now reported to have tap water access.

Impact Assessment of Jal Jeevan Mission

The benefits of JJM have been studied by various national and international agencies. According to SBI Research, the mission has relieved 9 crore women from the burden of water collection, thus allowing them to engage in other economic activities. The World Health Organization has highlighted significant health benefits, including the prevention of 400,000 diarrheal deaths and the savings of 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Notably, Nobel laureate Prof. Michael Kremer has indicated a potential 30% decrease in under-five mortality, potentially saving 136,000 lives annually.

Future Goals of JJM 2.0

The JJM 2.0 initiative aims to provide tap water connections to all identified rural households by 2028 and facilitate the certification of all Gram Panchayats as ‘Har Ghar Jal.’ This transition emphasizes sustainability, adherence to timelines, and the provision of citizen-centered water services through agreements with State and Union Territories. The initiative also envisions a comprehensive government approach, promoting collaboration among departments to ensure long-term maintenance of rural water supply systems, and aims at achieving 24×7 drinking water supply by the year 2047.

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