CR Paatil reviews Jal Jeevan Mission with Haryana MPs, stresses sustainability and water quality

Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting with Members of Parliament from Haryana to assess the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state and discuss measures to strengthen rural drinking water services.

The meeting focused on the implementation of the mission, sustainability of water supply systems, water quality and the role of elected representatives in ensuring that rural households continue to receive reliable drinking water.

Haryana is among the states that have achieved 100 per cent coverage of rural households under the Har Ghar Jal initiative.

MPs briefed on progress

During the meeting, officials made a detailed presentation on the status of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Haryana and highlighted achievements as well as areas requiring continued attention.

The discussions focused on ensuring that infrastructure created under the mission remains functional in the long term and that households receive an adequate quantity of drinking water of the prescribed quality.

Paatil emphasised the importance of maintaining assets created under JJM and strengthening systems for their operation and maintenance.

The Centre and Haryana had signed an MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 in March, aimed at strengthening rural water infrastructure and introducing reforms for sustainable operation and maintenance of drinking water systems.

Focus shifts to sustainability

With household tap coverage achieved, the emphasis under the next phase of the programme is increasingly shifting from the creation of connections to ensuring the sustainability, regularity and quality of water supply.

Haryana achieved 100 per cent rural household tap-water coverage after increasing coverage from around 58 per cent in 2019. The state had achieved universal rural household tap connections by April 2022.

The government has maintained that the objective of JJM is not merely to install taps but to ensure that rural households receive potable water in adequate quantities on a regular and long-term basis.

Water quality gets attention

Water quality monitoring was among the key areas discussed during the review.

Haryana has established NABL-accredited laboratories across its districts as part of efforts to strengthen testing and quality assurance of drinking water supplies. The state has also introduced digital systems for governance and grievance redressal related to water services.

Officials stressed the need for regular monitoring to ensure that the gains made under the mission translate into dependable drinking water services for rural communities.

MPs asked to play active role

Paatil underlined the importance of greater participation by MPs and other elected representatives in monitoring the mission at the grassroots.

Public representatives can play an important role in identifying local problems, monitoring the functioning of water-supply schemes and ensuring coordination between communities and implementing agencies.

The meeting also discussed community participation in managing rural drinking water infrastructure.

Haryana has adopted a decentralised operation and maintenance model involving Village Water and Sewerage Committees under gram panchayats, intended to give local communities a larger role in managing water-supply systems.

JJM enters next phase

Launched nationally in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission seeks to provide every rural household with an assured supply of potable water through functional household tap connections.

When the programme began, only 3.23 crore, or 16.7 per cent, of India's rural households had tap-water connections. By March 2026, the number had risen to around 15.82 crore households, representing 81.71 per cent of rural households nationally.

Haryana is among 11 states and Union Territories that had achieved 100 per cent rural household coverage and attained Har Ghar Jal status by March this year.

Long-term water security

The review comes as Haryana is also expanding its broader water-security initiatives.

The state recently approved the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana project, involving an estimated investment of Rs 5,714 crore, including a Rs 4,000-crore World Bank loan. The programme includes rehabilitation and modernisation of canals, development of water bodies and reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation.

The Centre's focus under JJM 2.0 is similarly moving towards sustainable management of water resources and infrastructure rather than simply increasing the number of household connections.

Friday's review sought to ensure continued coordination between the Centre, the Haryana government and elected representatives as the mission transitions from universal tap connectivity towards reliable, safe and sustainable rural water supply.