As part of Special Gram Sabha on Gandhi Jayanti, Jal Arpan Observed in more than 1850 Gram Panchayats Across Rural India to Strengthen Community Ownership of Rural Water Supply Systems Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

Ministry of Jal Shakti As part of Special Gram Sabha on Gandhi Jayanti, Jal Arpan Observed in more than 1850 Gram Panchayats Across Rural India to Strengthen Community Ownership of Rural Water Supply Systems Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 In A First, Har Ghar Jal Certificates Generated in Regional Languages issued to Gram Panchayats Through Jal Arpan module

Posted On: 03 OCT 2026 5:16PM by PIB Delhi On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and Special Gram Sabhas held across States/UTs, more than 1,850 Gram Panchayats/villages observed Jal Arpan- a key reform under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0- that places rural drinking water systems in the hands of the communities. This marked the formal handover of completed rural water supply schemes to Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees

(VWSCs), reflecting the Mission's shift towards community-led management and sustainable delivery of drinking water services.In a first, the Jal Arpan module also enabled generation of Har Ghar Jal Certificates in regional languages for eligible Gram Panchayats and villages. 346 Har Ghar Jal Certificates were generated for eligible Gram Panchayats and villages and issued in regional languages, making the certification process more accessible and citizen-centric while further strengthening community ownership of drinking water services. The Jal Arpan Module, now has provision of Har Gahr Jal certificate generations in Hindi, English and 17 other regional languages including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu, enabling communities to access programme information and certification in their own languagesJal Arpan celebrations witnessed active participation of Gram Panchayats, Village Water & Sanitation Committees, frontline functionaries, women volunteers and community members across rural India.

Completed rural water supply schemes, successfully commissioned following the prescribed trial run period, were formally handed over to Gram Panchayats and VWSCs for operation, maintenance and long- term sustainability. Activities such as Jal Sankalp, Jal Bandhan, demonstrations on water quality testing using Field Test Kits (FTKs), awareness programmes and recognition of community contributors were organised in several villages. The States and UTs also undertook activities related to water quality surveillance and monitoring, post monsoon water quality testing of sources to ensure the safety and reliability of drinking water services. Community-led water quality monitoring is being strengthened through the active involvement of women.

Digital governance and asset management are being strengthened under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 through Sujalam Bharat where water supply assets and piped water supply sources are being geotagged. On the same occasion, 2691 water supply assets including around 700 sources were geo-tagged across the country. These efforts are supporting improved planning, monitoring and long-term sustainability of rural water supply systems while creating a comprehensive digital inventory of drinking water assets.In the country’s journey towards water-resilience, as on date, more than 15.96 crore rural households, representing over 82% of rural households in the country, have drinking water tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission. To bring transparency, accountability and real-time monitoring to the process, the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation has developed a dedicated Jal Arpan digital module under Jal Jeevan Mission. The module provides a structured digital record of scheme handover and supports Gram Panchayat-led management of rural drinking water systems. The Government of India remains committed to working in partnership with States, Union Territories, Gram Panchayats and local communities to ensure that every rural household continues to receive safe, adequate and reliable drinking water services.The observance of Jal Arpan resonates with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of community participation, local self-governance and collective responsibility, with Gram Panchayats and village communities playing a central role in sustaining drinking water services and ensuring long-term water security.

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