The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a transformative initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, has been a beacon of hope for millions of households across India. Aimed at providing safe and clean drinking water to every rural household, the program’s ambitious 2024 deadline has now been extended to 2025 due to various challenges faced by several States and Union Territories. Jammu and Kashmir stands out as one of the lagging UTs, with only 80.77 percent of households equipped with tap water connections as of now. Despite significant progress, the region’s unique challenges-including deficient rainfall, lowering groundwater levels, and harsh winter conditions-have impeded the mission’s smooth implementation. The situation is exacerbated by limited labour availability and heavy snowfall in parts of the Kashmir Valley, further slowing the pace of work. These challenges underline the need for adaptive strategies tailored to local conditions to ensure the mission’s success.
The broader picture reveals a mixed performance nationwide. While 11 States and UTs have achieved 100 percent tap water connection coverage-notable examples being Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, and Ladakh-others, including Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Kerala, and West Bengal, lag significantly behind, with coverage under 60 percent. This disparity underscores the importance of focused interventions and sustained monitoring to bridge the gap in underperforming regions. The Jal Shakti Ministry’s renewed emphasis on accelerating the mission’s progress is a step in the right direction. However, achieving universal coverage by 2025 will require a multipronged approach. Addressing infrastructural bottlenecks, enhancing resource allocation, and leveraging technological solutions to overcome geographical and climatic challenges will be key. The stakes are high. Access to clean drinking water is not just a basic necessity but a fundamental right that impacts public health and overall quality of life. Moreover, the mission aligns with India’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030. J&K has to avail all available resources. The path ahead demands relentless effort and strategic planning to ensure no household remains without access to this vital resource.
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