Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Paatil today said that tap water connections have reached over 15 crore rural households, leading to improved health, enhanced living standards, and greater dignity for women. The Minister was virtually addressing participants from five states during the Sujal Gram Samvad, organised as part of the concluding event of Jal Mahotsav 2026.

 

He said the Jal Mahotsav has evolved into a nationwide Jan Bhagidari movement, featuring community meetings, awareness drives, school activities, and the handover of water assets to Gram Panchayats.

 

Mr Paatil stressed that water conservation and drinking water services must become a continuous collective responsibility and not be limited to a campaign period. The event, held on World Water Day, saw participation from Uttarakhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana. The Minister also released the operational guidelines for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, aimed at ensuring long-term access to safe and adequate drinking water in rural areas.

 

The Ministry of Jal Shakti said the nationwide campaign, launched on the 8th of this month, focused on strengthening community participation and ownership in rural drinking water services.