Parliament Question: Tap Connections to Rural Households in Tirunelveli District

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1998 ANSWERED ON 30/07/2026 TAP CONNECTIONS TO RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT 1998. SHRI ROBERT BRUCE C: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) whether the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has provided functional household tap connections to rural households of Tirunelveli district under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM); (b) if so, the details thereof including the funds sanctioned or released along with the physical progress achieved during each of the last three years and if not, the reasons therefor; and (c) the further steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard for Tirunelveli district and the time-frame fixed for the said purpose? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) to (c) To make provision of tap water supply to every rural household across the country, including those in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu, Government of India, in partnership with States, has been implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), since August 2019. At the time of announcement of JJM, 21.76 lakh (17%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in Tamil Nadu. So far, as reported by State as on 18.07.2026, around 91 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 18.07.2026, out of 125.26 lakh rural households, in the State, around 112.64 lakh (90%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. Similarly, at the start of the Mission, around 40 thousand (14%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. So far, as reported by the State, around 2.33 lakh rural households have been provided with tap water connections under Page 1 of 2JJM. Thus, as on 18.07.2026, out of 2.80 lakh rural households in the district, around 2.73 lakh (98%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. The district-wise allocation and release of funds under JJM is done and maintained at the State level. However, year-wise details of Central fund allocated, fund drawn and fund utilization reported by the State of Tamil Nadu since 2019-20 is as under: (Amount in Rs. Crore) Central Expenditure under State Opening Fund Fund Available Reported Year share Balance allocated released Fund utilization 2019-20 1.49 373.87 373.10 374.59 114.58 99.14 2020-21 264.09 921.99 690.36 954.45 576.87 399.57 2021-22 377.58 3,691.21 614.35 991.93 457.63 496.16 2022-23 534.30 4,015.00 872.96 1,407.26 593.71 664.36 2023-24 813.55 3,615.56 2,617.10 3,430.65 2,617.49 2,612.30 2024-25 813.15 2,438.89 731.67 1,544.82 1,333.23 3,343.47 2025-26 211.59 - - 211.59 - 983.10 Source: JJM-IMIS In March, 2026, Cabinet has approved the extension of JJM period up to December 2028 with enhanced outlay and restructured implementation focusing on structural reforms in rural drinking water supply sector under JJM 2.0. In 2026-27 under JJM 2.0, an amount of Rs. 2,177.27 Crore has been tentatively allocated to the State of Tamil Nadu for utilization towards the works taken up under JJM as per operational guidelines for implementation of JJM 2.0. ***** Page 2 of 2