The Minister of Jal Shakti addressed Unstarred Question No. 2074 on February 12, 2026, regarding funding delays for the Hogenakkal Water Supply Project Phase-III. The query was raised following a statement by the Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu indicating that the Union Government's refusal to provide its ₹2,283 crore share had delayed the project's financial closure.
The Minister stated that since August 2019, the Government of India has been implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/UTs, including Tamil Nadu, to provide tap water connections to every rural household. The Union Cabinet approved JJM's implementation for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24). States/UTs were required to complete water supply scheme planning, approval, and implementation during this period, with central support limited to funds availed within the mission period.
The State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC) of the Government of Tamil Nadu approved the Hogenakkal Water Supply Project, Phase-III, in June 2023. However, the project could not be awarded within the mission period. The Finance Minister announced the extension of JJM until 2028 in her budget speech for 2025-26.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A scheme to provide tap water connection to every rural household in India.
Hogenakkal Water Supply Project Phase-III: A water supply project in Tamil Nadu that faced funding delays.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Union ministry responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Tamil Nadu: The State where Hogenakkal Water Supply Project Phase-III is located.
State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC): Committee responsible for according approval to Hogenakkal Water Supply Project, Phase-III
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. – 2074
ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026
FUNDING DELAY FOR THE HOGENAKKAL WATER SUPPLY PROJECT PHASE-III
2074. SHRI K E PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the statement made by the Finance Minister of
Tamil Nadu at the pre-Union Budget consultation meeting chaired by the Union Finance
Minister in New Delhi, wherein it was stated that the Union Government’s refusal to
provide its Rs. 2,283 crore share for the Hogenakkal Water Supply Project Phase-III has
delayed the financial closure of the project;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Union Government to release the pending funds and
ensure timely implementation of the project to meet the drinking water needs of the
beneficiaries in the said State?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI V. SOMANNA)
(a) to (c) Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
– Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu, to make provision
of tap water connection to every rural household of the country. The Union Cabinet
approved the implementation of JJM for a period of five years i.e. 2019-20 to 2023-24,
during which, States/ UTs were required to complete the planning, approval, and
implementation of water supply schemes under the mission. States/ UTs were also
informed that the central support under JJM would be limited to the funds availed during
the mission period only.
The State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC) of the Government of Tamil
Nadu accorded approval to Hogenakkal Water Supply Project, Phase-III, in June 2023;
however, the project could not be awarded within the mission period.
Hon'ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 had announced extension of
JJM until 2028.
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