Parliament Question: Shortcomings under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6352 ANSWERED ON 02/04/2026 SHORTCOMINGS UNDER JAL JEEVAN MISSION 2.0 6352. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 has failed to achieve its objective of providing tap water to rural households and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is also a fact that households provided with tap water connections under JJM are receiving water supply only rarely and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether it is also true that in many parts of Kerala, pipelines have been laid by digging roads but household connections have not yet been provided and if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether it is also true that pipelines have been laid without constructing water storage tanks and without adequate provision for sourcing water and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) & (b) Since August 2019, the Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs, to make provision of tap water connection to every rural household of the country. As reported by States/UTs on JJM-IMIS, at the start of JJM on 15.08.2019, only 3.24 Crore (16.72%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, around 12.59 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 08.03.2026, out of 19.26 crore rural households in the country, the provision of tap water connections is available to 15.82 crore (81.72%) rural households. Further, the Union Cabinet has approved the extension of JJM upto December 2028, with enhanced outlay to complete all ongoing works within a stipulated time. (c) & (d) As reported by the State of Kerala, at the start of JJM, only 16.64 lakh (23.51%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, around 22.23 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 08.03.2026, out of 70.77 lakh rural households in State, the provision of tap water connections is available to approximately 38.87 lakh (54.92%) rural households. Drinking water is a State subject and, therefore, the primary responsibility for planning, implementation, and operation & maintenance (O&M) of piped water supply schemes to provide tap water to rural Page 1 of 2households, lies with the respective State/UT Government. Further, the responsibility of repairing or restoration of roads that get affected while laying water supply pipelines of rural water supply schemes taken up under JJM, lies with State/ UT Governments and the funds available under JJM may be utilized for the same. Under JJM, provisions have been made to approve water supply scheme only after the recommendation of a Source Finding Committee of the respective State Government, consisting of experts, to the effect that the identified water source through which the scheme is planned, has sufficient yield for sustaining supplies of water as per norm, over the design life of the scheme. Further, to ensure long term sustainability of rural water supply scheme sources, under JJM, provisions have also been made for development/ strengthening/ augmentation of drinking water sources; 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. In addition, under the Mission, States/UTs have 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 G RAM G, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), Finance Commission tied grants to RLBs/ PRIs, State schemes, CSR funds, etc. ***** Page 2 of 2