Government aims for 100 percent rural tap water coverage by 2024, addressing challenges while advancing ODF Plus status and rejuvenating Ganga under comprehensive initiatives
According to official data on India’s progress towards the ambitious targets of the Jal Jeevan Mission, approximately 72 percent of rural households now have access to tap water connections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed to achieving 100 percent coverage of tap water connections to every rural household by 2024.
A senior official has expressed confidence in the government reaching its 100 percent coverage goal by the end of the coming year. However, challenges persist in states such as Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where tap water connection coverage in rural households remains below 50 percent.
While nine states and Union Territories have already achieved 100 percent coverage, the focus is on extending this essential service to every corner of the nation.
Simultaneously, the ministry is committed to making villages Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus) by the next year.
An ODF Plus village not only maintains its open-defecation-free status but also implements effective solid or liquid waste management systems. Launched in February 2020, the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase-II aims to declare all villages ODF Plus by the end of 2024.
According to Parliament data, out of 5.91 lakh villages in the country, 3.18 lakh aspire to ODF Plus status, and 1.23 lakh villages have already achieved it.
Under the Namami Gange Programme, the government is actively undertaking a comprehensive range of interventions to rejuvenate the Ganga and its tributaries. These interventions include wastewater treatment, solid waste management, riverfront development, e-flow maintenance, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and public participation.
During the winter session of Parliament, it was reported that a total of 450 projects have been taken up under the Namami Gange Programme at an estimated cost of Rs 38,022.37 crore. Out of these, 270 projects have been completed and made operational. The focus for the next year will be to meet the projects' deadlines.