The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a transformative public welfare programme designed to ensure safe drinking water for every rural household in India. Rooted in the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” the mission emphasizes a decentralized, community-managed approach to foster a sense of ownership among local residents.
Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, JJM has achieved remarkable milestones in Assam, bringing hope and dignity to over 58 lakh families. When JJM was launched on August 15, 2019, only 1.6% of Assam’s rural households—about 1.1 lakh connections—had functional tap connections, significantly below the national average of 17% at the time.
Through a holistic and dedicated effort by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), this situation has been dramatically reversed. Today, nearly 82% of rural households have Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), surpassing the national average of about 80%. This achievement was made possible despite various challenges, including COVID-19 pandemic, recurrent floods and supply chain bottlenecks, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of the Government of Assam and the active participation of people.
To understand the impact that the Mission has had till 2024, a comprehensive assessment was conducted by the Centre for Urbanization, Buildings & Environment (CUBE), IIT Madras, which surveyed approximately 250 schemes across 33 districts. The report highlighted several positive outcomes from 2019 to 2024. It has been reported that out of the surveyed schemes, 94% of households now have access to piped water, with 93% of residents receiving the mandated daily supply of over 55 liters per person per day. This improved access is matched by better quality, as 90% of the surveyed households reported significant improvements in water quality. Critically, these changes have had a direct public health benefit, with 63% of households noting a significant reduction in water-borne diseases.
The Mission’s success goes beyond infrastructure; it has empowered communities and improved quality of life. Women, who once spent hours fetching water from distant, often unsafe sources, now have safe drinking water at their doorsteps. This newfound time is being used for education, income generation and family care.
Jan Bhagidari (community participation) is the cornerstone of JJM’s long-term sustainability. JJM has always prioritised a decentralized, community managed implementation system that built a ‘sense of ownership’ among the locals. As per the mandate, all water supply scheme infrastructure once commissioned, is handed over to a Water User Committee (WUC) in the village for operation and maintenance (O&M). So far, 18,213 schemes have been handed over, empowering communities to responsibly manage their resources.
The O&M process is constantly being strengthened through water tariff collection, which funds the repairs and upkeep of the scheme. Divisions like Nazira have set an exemplary standard. Nearly 50% of their handed-over schemes are successfully collecting tariffs. This has fostered ownership and accountability.
Apart from tariff collection, the concept of Jan Bhadari is bolstered through several innovative initiatives under the Mission, notably Jaldoot Programme. It is a brain child of JJM Assam. It actively engages schoolchildren, nurturing them to become responsible stewards of water. Recognised as a National Policy by the Department of Education, Government of India, the programme has been mandated for implementation across all CBSE-affiliated schools nationwide. The Jaldoot Programme has earned several accolades, including the International Water Association’s Project Innovation Award.
The Jalvidya initiative empowers college students to utilize the extensive Water Quality Laboratory infrastructure of the PHED for guided research and advanced studies on water.
Jal Swasthya is a partnership with the National Health Mission (NHM) where ASHA workers are leveraged to promote safe water and hygiene in villages.
JJM in partnership with the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM) has engaged Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) in nearly 16,000 villages, mobilizing communities and monitoring schemes at the grassroots.
5-Star Water User Committee has encouraged officers from the department as well as the District Administration to adopt a Water Supply Scheme and handhold them towards better management. I have personally written to all MLAs to do so as well.
Technology plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability. The JJM BRAIN is an open-source platform that enables real-time project monitoring, facilitating data-driven decisions. It has democratised information dissemination along with easing the grievance reporting mechanism through the Jal Kosh initiative. Jal Kosh uses QR codes on every Piped Water Supply Scheme (PWSS), allowing beneficiaries to register complaints and provide feedback for timely resolution.
JJM in Assam is not just an infrastructure project; it is a movement to build resilient, self-reliant communities. As the PHED Minister of Assam, I am humbled and proud of this journey. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. We must focus on continued O&M, tariff collection, for the sustenance of the water supply schemes, to ensure a brighter, healthier future for all of Assam.
(The author is Minister, PHE, and others, Government of Assam)
