Latest report sheds light on India’s Jal Jeevan Mission

Access to water and sanitation is a basic human right, essential for health, dignity, and well-being. Millions of Indians face extreme water pressure, only worsened by the impacts of climate change – erratic monsoons, the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding, and droughts. 

UNOPS and the Sankala Foundation have released a new report on the impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has improved access to clean water across India. 

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a key initiative of the Government of India, aims to provide safe drinking water through household tap connections to every rural home by the end of 2024. As of September 2024, over 150 million tap connections have been installed, up from just three million in 2019. 

The report highlights how local communities, including over 2.4 million women, have been empowered with the skills and resources needed to manage and monitor their water supply effectively.

The launch event included government dignitaries such as Mr. Bharat Lal, Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Vini Mahajan, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, both from the Government of India.

"This groundbreaking initiative showcases innovative, inclusive solutions that not only advance the SDGs in India but also have the potential to drive global progress," said Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, during the launch.

UNOPS and the Government of Denmark have also partnered under the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership of 2020 to provide technical support to the Jal Jeevan Mission.