Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh has scripted history as the first state in the North East to achieve saturation of Har Ghar Jal under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), showcasing exemplary dedication and commitment by Team Arunachal. The state is tenth in the country to achieve this feat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Jal Jeevan Mission in the country on August 15, 2019. The scheme is ensuring good health for all through clean, tap water. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, guided the JJM team to take up the challenging task of implementation of the scheme. The saturation of JJM in Arunachal Pradesh is commendable, as the team had to negotiate the tough and challenging terrains of the state to reach clean tap water in all households.

While congratulating the Chief Minister, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in his post on X said: "Congratulations to the wonderful state of Arunachal Pradesh on achieving 100% target of Har Ghar Jal & becoming our first North Eastern State to do so. Come rain, sunshine or arduous terrain we have together made this revolutionary mission of taking clean tap water to every household way successful. This visionary project of our PM @narendramodi ji has been meticulously executed by team Jal Jeevan Mission & Arunachal Pradesh’s govt led by CM @PemaKhanduBJP in record time."

Success was not a cakewalk in Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu not only monitored and reviewed the progress of the JJM scheme frequently through regular meetings with officials of Public Health, Engineering and Water Supply Department (PHE&WS), but also took to social media to laud the achievements on a regular basis. After saturation of each district, he ensured that the team was encouraged.

One of his social media posts read: "The dynamic leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji is ensuring safe, clean water to every household under Jal Jeevan Mission. In yet another achievement, all houses in Dibang Valley district have been provided with tap water connections. This is a great accomplishment for laying the foundation for public health that will benefit all sections of society. Congratulations Team!" (November 24, 2023)      

This not only reflects the state's dedication but also highlights the cooperative efforts of the State Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

Arunachal Pradesh's success in Har Ghar Jal stands as a shining example of effective governance and commitment to the well-being of its citizens.

Comprehensive coverage

The successful implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Arunachal Pradesh received financial backing from the Centre, with Rs 396,541.22 lakh released, along with a contribution of Rs 45,551.18 lakh from the state. With all 28 districts covered, this boost ensures that every household in the state has access to clean and safe piped water.

Leading the way in North-East

As the first state in the North-East to fully implement the Jal Jeevan Mission, Arunachal Pradesh is resolute in its commitment to enhancing the overall well-being of its people.

In the larger context of national initiatives, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, is dedicated to realising the vision of a 'Swachh Sujal' nation as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Under the flagship schemes of Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission - Grameen, significant strides have been made in ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation in rural India.

Key achievements in 2023

The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019, has witnessed substantial progress, reaching 13.91 crore households with tap water connections. Arunachal Pradesh's achievement in reaching the saturation mark showcases the transformative impact of the mission on health and hygiene in challenging terrains. In 2023, the mission crossed several milestones and progressed from 11 crore connections at the start of the year to nearly 14 crore tap connections by the end of the year. In 2023-24, so far, the Government of India has released Rs. 45,841.39 crore to 26 eligible States for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in the financial year 2023-24.

Health and economic impact

The World Health Organisation report highlights the immense health benefits of the 'Har Ghar Jal' program, estimating potential cost savings of up to $101 billion. Additionally, the mission has significant employment generation potential, contributing to both construction and operation & maintenance sectors.
Water Quality Monitoring and SurveillanceWith 2,113 water testing laboratories across the country, the Jal Jeevan Mission ensures rigorous monitoring of water quality. Over 54 lakh water samples have been tested in laboratories, with a focus on promoting women's participation through training initiatives.