The Government of India has successfully provided tap water connections to 12.28 crore rural households over the last five years under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), bringing the total number of connected homes to 15.51 crore. This constitutes 79.91% of rural households, a significant increase from 3.23 crore (16.8%) at the mission’s launch in August 2019, according to Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna.
Jal Jeevan Mission is being implemented in partnership with states and Union Territories to ensure the provision of potable water to every rural household through functional tap water connections at a service level of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd). The government aims to ensure the long-term availability and quality of water supply, boosting infrastructure and rural development.
The implementation of JJM has also generated employment opportunities in rural areas through water supply infrastructure development, water resource management, distribution networks, and treatment plants. The procurement of materials and construction activities has boosted manufacturing and enhanced the ‘ease of living’ in rural regions.
The impact of JJM has been highlighted by reputed institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO estimates that achieving universal tap water supply will save 5.5 crore hours per day, otherwise spent on collecting water, primarily by women. Additionally, providing safely managed drinking water could prevent nearly 4 lakh deaths due to diarrheal diseases and save approximately 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
A report by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), estimates that JJM will create 59.9 lakh person-years of direct and 2.2 crore person-years of indirect employment during its capital expenditure phase. Additionally, 13.3 lakh person-years of direct employment will be generated for operation and maintenance.
Nobel laureate Prof. Michael Kremer has concluded that ensuring safe water access could reduce child mortality by 30%, potentially saving 1,36,000 lives annually. To ensure the long-term sustainability of JJM, the government emphasizes quality infrastructure, third-party inspections, and community participation through village-level planning, instilling a sense of ownership among rural communities and Panchayats.
