Centre Pushes for ‘Har Ghar Jal’ Acceleration at 7th District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad

A detailed presentation on Jal Seva Aankalan outlined a structured, multi-tier framework for monitoring and improving rural water services.

 In a major nationwide review of rural water supply and sanitation programmes, the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, convened the 7th edition of the District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad, bringing together top administrators, district officials, and mission leaders to fast-track the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) Phase 2.

Chaired by DDWS Secretary Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, the high-level virtual conference focused on strengthening last-mile delivery, improving service quality, and sharing best practices from across the country to ensure sustainable rural water access and sanitation.

From Infrastructure to Functionality: A Shift in Focus

Setting the tone for the discussions, Shri Meena emphasized that the government’s vision of providing safe tap water to every rural household is now entering a critical phase where functionality, reliability, and sustainability are paramount.

He noted that funding under Jal Jeevan Mission is increasingly being linked to performance and functionality of water supply systems, marking a shift from infrastructure creation to service delivery outcomes.

Key initiatives highlighted include:

• “Jal Arpan” – systematic handover of completed water supply assets to Gram Panchayats after a 15-day quality trial

• “Jal Seva Aankalan” – a nationwide self-assessment mechanism enabling communities to evaluate water service quality

• “Sujala Gaon ID” and “Sujalam Bharat App” – digital tracking of rural water infrastructure

These measures aim to enhance accountability, community ownership, and long-term sustainability of water systems.

Data-Driven Governance Through Jal Seva Aankalan

A detailed presentation on Jal Seva Aankalan outlined a structured, multi-tier framework for monitoring and improving rural water services. The system integrates:

• Gram Panchayat-level data collection

• Technical review by District Technical Units (DTUs)

• District Improvement Plans (DIPs) with timeline-based interventions

• State-level aggregation for policy action

Officials were urged to expedite assessments and implement corrective plans, transforming Panchayats from passive beneficiaries into active managers of water services.

Districts Showcase Innovative Models

Several districts presented successful models demonstrating how innovation, community participation, and technology are driving progress:

• Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand): Achieved over 99% tap connection coverage with strong institutional convergence for water source sustainability and 100% greywater management in select villages

• Koderma (Jharkhand): Leveraged real-time dashboards, geo-tagging, and mobile apps for grievance redressal, achieving over 95% water quality testing coverage

• Anantnag (J&K): Implemented a single-window convergence model involving multiple departments, transforming water access in remote areas

• Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh): Introduced the ‘JAL SARTHI’ app for citizen engagement and grievance reporting while advancing waste management infrastructure

• Vijayapura (Karnataka): Adopted large-scale multi-village water schemes and ensured O&M sustainability across Gram Panchayats

These case studies highlighted diverse, locally adapted solutions addressing challenges such as terrain, water scarcity, and infrastructure gaps.

Sanitation Gains and Focus on Waste Management

Under SBM-G Phase 2, districts reported significant progress in achieving near-universal Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and expanding solid and liquid waste management systems.

Joint Secretary and Mission Director (SBM-G), Smt. Aishwarya Singh, urged districts to intensify efforts toward 100% coverage in waste management, particularly in rural areas, to ensure environmental sustainability and improved public health outcomes.

Leadership and Accountability at the District Level

In his concluding remarks, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NJJM), Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, emphasized that the success of JJM 2.0 and SBM-G Phase 2 hinges on proactive leadership by District Collectors.

He called for:

• Regular District Water & Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings

• Strengthening District Technical Units

• Prioritising Jal Seva Aankalan and Jal Arpan initiatives

• Accelerating greywater management

Towards Sustainable and Community-Driven Rural Development

The Peyjal Samvad reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable, equitable, and community-driven water and sanitation services across rural India.

With a strong focus on digital monitoring, local governance, and performance-based funding, the initiatives under Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission are poised to deliver long-term improvements in rural quality of life.

As India moves closer to universal water access and sanitation coverage, such collaborative platforms are playing a crucial role in bridging implementation gaps and scaling best practices nationwide.