Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren conducted a high-level review of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department at the Jharkhand Secretariat, issuing several key directives to accelerate ongoing schemes under the state’s water supply and sanitation programmes.
The Chief Minister emphasized timely completion of projects aimed at ensuring clean piped drinking water to every household by 2028, along with the development of plastic-free villages across the state.
Focus on ‘Har Ghar Jal’ Mission and Timely Execution
CM Soren instructed officials to speed up the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and ensure that every household receives safe drinking water through piped supply.
He also directed that:
- Water supply system maintenance and repairs be completed promptly
- Ground-level execution of schemes be strengthened
- Agencies involved in water projects improve coordination
The Chief Minister stressed that rural and remote areas must receive water supply facilities equivalent to urban regions.
Strict Monitoring and Real-Time Project Tracking
To improve execution efficiency, the Chief Minister ordered enhanced monitoring mechanisms for ongoing projects.
Key instructions included:
- Formation of WhatsApp groups with contractors for daily progress updates
- Real-time monitoring of large-scale water supply projects
- Strong accountability systems for timely delivery
He said water supply schemes are critical for public welfare and must be implemented effectively on the ground.
Groundwater Recharge and Water Conservation Push
CM Soren placed strong emphasis on long-term water sustainability measures, including groundwater recharge and conservation.
He directed officials to:
- Promote rainwater harvesting systems
- Prepare long-term water conservation strategies
- Launch awareness campaigns on water conservation
He also instructed that unused handpump borewells be converted into recharge pits to improve groundwater levels.
Additionally, he encouraged construction of soak pits (shock pits) to utilize wastewater for groundwater replenishment.
Safe Drinking Water and Public Awareness
The Chief Minister expressed concern over water quality issues and reiterated that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right.
He instructed officials to:
- Ensure safe and clean drinking water for all citizens
- Expand piped water supply coverage
- Conduct awareness campaigns on plastic pollution and water conservation
- Recognize and reward villages working towards becoming plastic-free
He also suggested incentives for water sahiyas (community health workers) for good performance in water quality monitoring.
Comprehensive Review of Key Schemes
During the meeting, CM Soren reviewed multiple ongoing programmes, including:
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- Water quality monitoring and surveillance
- Multi-village and single-village water supply schemes
- Handpump installation and maintenance
- Swachh Bharat Mission (rural sanitation)
- Individual household toilets
- ODF Plus villages
- Solid and liquid waste management
- Gobardhan scheme
He directed officials to ensure effective implementation and timely completion of all schemes.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that providing clean drinking water and improving sanitation infrastructure remain top priorities of the Jharkhand government. He urged departments to adopt a mission-driven approach to ensure that every household benefits from safe water supply and sustainable water management systems by 2028.
