Dehradun: Uttarakhand has made significant progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, providing access to safe drinking water to more than 15 lakh rural households despite the state’s challenging mountainous terrain.
From steep hills and difficult roads to extreme weather conditions, supplying drinking water to remote villages has historically been a major challenge in Uttarakhand. The Jal Jeevan Mission, along with the state government’s efforts under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, is changing access to drinking water across rural areas.
The initiative focuses not only on providing household tap connections but also on water quality, sustainable supply, community participation and conservation of natural water sources.
Jal Jeevan Mission Expands Rural Tap Water Access
The mission has accelerated the development of drinking water infrastructure across Uttarakhand’s difficult geographical regions.
More than 15 lakh rural families are covered under the programme, with the majority now having access to safe and clean drinking water through household tap connections.
The state government aims to ensure that rural residents do not have to travel long distances to collect drinking water, particularly in remote mountainous areas.
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100% Water Quality Testing Targets Achieved
Uttarakhand’s Jal Jeevan Mission has expanded beyond the construction of pipelines and household connections, with a strong focus on water quality and sustainable operations.
According to the information provided by the state government, Uttarakhand has achieved 100% of its prescribed targets for water quality testing, setting an example in the implementation of the programme.
Tap water connections have also been provided to:
- Government and private schools
- Primary Health Centres
- Anganwadi centres
This is aimed at ensuring access to safe drinking water in institutions serving children and rural communities.
7,800 Nal Jal Mitras Selected for Maintenance
To ensure the long-term operation and maintenance of rural drinking water schemes, around 7,800 ‘Nal Jal Mitras’ have been selected in the state.
The government has also involved women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the operation and maintenance of water pipelines.
This community-based approach is expected to improve the sustainability of rural water supply systems while creating greater local participation in managing water infrastructure.
Uttarakhand Signs MoU Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
The Uttarakhand government has signed a reform-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The next phase focuses on strengthening the sustainability of water supply systems through measures such as:
- Revival of natural water sources
- Conservation of water resources
- Digital tracking of water supply infrastructure
- Improved monitoring and management
The focus on source sustainability is particularly important for Uttarakhand, where many communities depend on mountain springs and other natural water sources.
CM Dhami Says Making Life Easier in Hills Is a Priority
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that women in Uttarakhand’s mountainous regions had historically faced significant difficulties in collecting water.
He said the state government is working to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Har Ghar Jal’ vision by taking pipelines to even the most difficult locations in the hills.
According to Dhami, the objective is not merely to install taps but to ensure that households receive clean, safe and adequate drinking water.
The government is also linking the mission with water-source conservation and rainwater harvesting to strengthen the long-term availability of water.
Rural Beneficiaries Share Impact of Tap Water Connections
The impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission is particularly visible in the daily lives of rural residents.
Mangla Devi from Pauri Garhwal said that earlier she had to wake up around 4 am and walk nearly two kilometres downhill to collect water from a natural spring. A significant portion of her day was spent carrying water.
She said that having clean water available through a tap in the kitchen has transformed daily life, while children’s health has also improved.
Similarly, Ramesh Ram from Pithoragarh recalled the severe water shortage in his village during summers. According to him, the situation was so difficult that some families were forced to leave their homes temporarily.
After a water tank was constructed and household tap connections were provided under the mission, the situation improved significantly. He also highlighted the availability of water-testing kits for women in the village.
Focus on Sustainable and Community-Based Water Management
The progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Uttarakhand reflects a broader shift from simply creating water infrastructure to ensuring its quality, sustainability and local management.
With household tap connections, water testing, source revival, rainwater harvesting and community participation being brought together, the programme aims to provide reliable drinking water access to rural households across the state, including communities in remote mountainous areas.
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