Jal Shakti Minister stresses sustainability in next phase of JJM

Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Thursday said the focus of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) must now shift from infrastructure delivery to sustainability as he called for robust systems to ensure continued water supply and quality in rural areas.
“The next phase of this journey is sustainability,” the minister said while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day national workshop on the operation and maintenance (O&M) of rural water supply schemes.
Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water connections to over 15 crore rural households. Paatil said this milestone is a result of the government’s strong commitment to ensuring basic amenities for all. However, he stressed that sustained access to safe drinking water now depends on building resilient systems backed by effective policies and local engagement.
The national workshop has brought together representatives from states and union territories, district magistrates, engineers and policymakers. Their participation, Paatil said, signals a unified resolve to strengthen the mission’s long-term impact. Highlighting the importance of community involvement, the minister noted that five women in every village have been trained in water quality testing.
“This not only ensures local monitoring but also empowers women and builds trust within communities,” he said. Paatil added that the government’s goal is not merely to complete schemes but to ensure that they are high-quality, well-maintained and sustainable.
“This workshop is a significant step towards building a strong policy framework for O&M, which will prove instrumental in making India a water-secure nation,” he said. The two-day workshop will see discussions on best practices, challenges and innovations in maintaining rural water infrastructure, with a focus on institutional mechanisms, capacity building, and technology adoption to ensure long-term service delivery, officials said.