Rural tap water coverage reaches nearly 82 pc under Jal Jeevan Mission, claims government document
The document, released to celebrate the 12th year of the BJP-led central government in office, stated that the increase was achieved under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which was launched in 2019 to provide drinking water to every rural household through functional household tap connections.
According to the document, budget allocations for the mission increased by 488 percent between 2020-21 and 2026-27 to 67,670 billion rupees.
Also Read: PM Modi counts welfare of the poor among the key achievements of his government’s 12-year tenure
The government said 2.77 lakh villages have achieved 100 per cent tap water coverage under the Har Ghar Jal campaign.
Household tap water coverage in target areas increased from 23.62 lakh in August 2019 to 2.20 crore by May 2026, while 1.11 crore households in desired blocks had tap water connection by the same date.
While the number of schools with tap water connections increased from 29,711 in August 2019 to 9.23 lakh by May 2026, coverage in anganwadi centers increased from 15,464 to 9.66 lakh during this period. Tap water connection in gram panchayats and community health centers has reached 3.93 lakh institutions and covers 77.27 per cent of such facilities, the document said.
Also Read: Heat and humidity of Indian monsoon may increase summer heat stress as climate warms: Latest Research
Improving access to clean drinking water has reduced waterborne diseases, strengthened sanitation and supported better educational outcomes, especially for children and adolescent girls, according to the document.
The document also highlighted the progress of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), which was launched in October 2014 to address inadequate sanitation facilities in rural India, where around 550 million people did not have access to such facilities at that time.
According to the government, budget allocations for the mission have increased by 83 per cent from 3.929 billion rupees in 2014-15 to 7.192 billion rupees in 2026-27.
More than 12.11 crore individual household toilets have been constructed so far under the programme. During Phase I of the mission, sanitation coverage increased from 39 per cent in 2014 to 100 per cent in 2019, following which India was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
By March 2026, more than 5 lakh villages have attained ODF Plus (Model) status.
According to the document, ODF Plus covers comprehensive village cleanliness through solid and liquid waste management systems in rural India.
Solid waste management systems are active in 5.31 lakh villages, while liquid and gray water management systems are operational in 5.50 lakh villages, the document said. Additionally, 2,415 plastic waste management units were established in 5,482 blocks.
It was stated that the success of Swachh Bharat Mission was associated with a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality rates.
The government also highlighted the progress of the GOBARdhan initiative, which has increased from 14 operational biogas plants in the financial year 2018-19 to over 1,213 by May 2026.
According to the document, the integration of waste management infrastructure and bio-energy production under the initiative reflects the transition to a circular economy in rural India.
