Jal Jeevan Mission Expands Rural Tap Water Coverage

26 Mar 2025 CW Team

As water is a state subject, the responsibility for planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes lies with state and union territory governments. The central government provides financial and technical assistance, including a 50-year interest-free loan under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure scheme. Additionally, a nodal officer has been designated to coordinate with ministries and agencies to expedite statutory clearances and prevent project delays.

Ensuring long-term water sustainability is integral to JJM. Water supply schemes are approved only after verification by a state-level Source Finding Committee to confirm the adequacy of water sources. In regions facing water scarcity, projects focus on developing alternative sources, strengthening existing infrastructure, and converging efforts with schemes like MGNREGS, Finance Commission grants, MP/MLA Local Area Development Funds, District Mineral Development Funds, and CSR initiatives. To further boost community-driven conservation, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative under Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain campaign was launched on September 6, 2024.

Water quality is a key priority, with BIS:10500 standards set as the benchmark for piped water supply. As of now, all 314 arsenic-affected and 251 fluoride-affected rural habitations have been provided with safe drinking water through Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs) and In-house Purification Systems (IHPs). Since JJM’s inception, 13,706 arsenic-affected and 7,745 fluoride-affected habitations have been covered under piped water supply. In March 2023, a Handbook on Drinking Water Treatment Technologies was released to guide states in implementing cost-effective treatment solutions. Additionally, a Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households was issued in December 2024 to standardise water quality testing protocols.

For urban areas, under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), 4,734 MLD of water treatment capacity has been created. Under AMRUT 2.0, projects covering an additional 10,674 MLD water treatment capacity have been approved.

This information was provided by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

(PIB)

Since its launch in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has been implemented in partnership with states to provide potable tap water to every rural household in India. At the time of launch, only 32.3 million (16.8%) rural households had tap water connections. As of March 16, 2025, an additional 122.9 million rural households have been connected, raising the total coverage to over 155.2 million households (80.19%) out of 193.7 million rural households nationwide. As water is a state subject, the responsibility for planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes lies with state and union territory governments. The central government provides financial and technical assistance, including a 50-year interest-free loan under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure scheme. Additionally, a nodal officer has been designated to coordinate with ministries and agencies to expedite statutory clearances and prevent project delays. Ensuring long-term water sustainability is integral to JJM. Water supply schemes are approved only after verification by a state-level Source Finding Committee to confirm the adequacy of water sources. In regions facing water scarcity, projects focus on developing alternative sources, strengthening existing infrastructure, and converging efforts with schemes like MGNREGS, Finance Commission grants, MP/MLA Local Area Development Funds, District Mineral Development Funds, and CSR initiatives. To further boost community-driven conservation, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative under Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain campaign was launched on September 6, 2024. Water quality is a key priority, with BIS:10500 standards set as the benchmark for piped water supply. As of now, all 314 arsenic-affected and 251 fluoride-affected rural habitations have been provided with safe drinking water through Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs) and In-house Purification Systems (IHPs). Since JJM’s inception, 13,706 arsenic-affected and 7,745 fluoride-affected habitations have been covered under piped water supply. In March 2023, a Handbook on Drinking Water Treatment Technologies was released to guide states in implementing cost-effective treatment solutions. Additionally, a Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households was issued in December 2024 to standardise water quality testing protocols. For urban areas, under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), 4,734 MLD of water treatment capacity has been created. Under AMRUT 2.0, projects covering an additional 10,674 MLD water treatment capacity have been approved. This information was provided by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. (PIB)

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..