Parliament Question: Shortage of Drinking Water in Border Areas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6427 ANSWERED ON 02/04/2026 SHORTAGE OF DRINKING WATER IN BORDER AREAS †6427. SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether there is a shortage of safe drinking water in the border areas of the country adjoining desert and coastal regions including Gujarat–Kutch and if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken by the Government to resolve the problems in this regard; and (c) whether the Government has made any special provisions to provide safe drinking water in drought- affected areas and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) to (c) To enable every rural household in the country, including those in desert and coastal regions, to have assured potable water, in adequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis, through tap water connection, since August 2019, Government of India in partnership with States/UTs is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal. At the start of the mission, only 3.23 crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 03.03.2026, under JJM, more than 12.58 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 03.03.2026, out of around 19.36 crore rural households in the country, around 15.82 crore (81.71%) households are reported to have tap water connections in their homes. Further, State government of Gujarat has reported that all the rural households have been provided tap water connections in their homes. The State/ UT-wise status of tap water connection provided under the mission in rural areas is in public domain and available on JJM dashboard at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx Under JJM, provisions have been made for drinking water source development/ strengthening/ augmentation; and infrastructure for bulk transfer of water, treatment and distribution systems in water deficit drought-prone and desert areas without dependable ground water sources, apart from creation of in-village water supply infrastructure. States have also been advised for source recharging, viz. dedicated bore well recharge structures, rainwater recharge, rejuvenation of existing water bodies, reuse of greywater, etc., in convergence with other schemes such as VB RAM G, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), Finance Commission tied grants to RLBs/ PRIs, State schemes, CSR funds, etc. A special initiative Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) under Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Catch the rain (CTR) campaign has been launched on September 6, 2024, which aims to promote collaborative community-driven water conservation efforts and focuses on enhancing water management through low-cost, scientifically designed artificial recharge structures, ensuring active participation from local communities, industries, and other stakeholders. *****