Shillong, Dec 10: More than 82% of rural households in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya now have access to tap water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a significant leap from just 0.46% in 2019.
Since the mission’s launch, 2.28 lakh additional rural households have been connected to the water supply network, leaving only 0.49 lakh homes to be covered. The State Government aims to achieve 100% coverage in the near future.
The information was revealed in the current Lok Sabha session in response to a question posed by Member of Parliament Saleng A. Sangma. The Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, provided a comprehensive update on the mission’s progress, key challenges, and the steps being taken to overcome them.
One of the main hurdles in the Garo Hills region has been its challenging terrain. Poor road connectivity, limited network access for real-time updates, and reduced water discharge during lean seasons have hampered progress. To address these issues, the State Government has focused on rejuvenating local water sources, conducting regular project reviews, and collaborating with the Soil & Water Conservation Department to ensure sustainable water availability.
Financial support has been pivotal in driving progress. Between 2019 and 2024, the Government of India allocated substantial funds for the mission. For 2023-24, ₹3,567.25 crore was allocated, of which over ₹1,572 crore has been utilized. For 2024-25, ₹653.6 crore has been allocated so far, with ₹440.4 crore already utilized as of early December 2024.
Beyond water access, the mission has also spurred local employment. Under the Nal Jal Mitra Programme, 2,893 local residents have been trained as plumbers and masons. These skilled workers now play a key role in operating, maintaining, and repairing village water supply systems, ensuring the sustainability of the infrastructure while creating livelihoods for local communities.
With 82% of rural households in Garo Hills now connected to tap water, the region is on track to achieve the mission’s goal of “Har Ghar Jal” — tap water in every home.
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