90 per cent  of villages in India have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, marking a substantial increase from 1 lakh ODF Plus villages in December 2022 to over 5 lakh by December 2023.

In 2023, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti made significant strides in advancing its flagship programs — Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G). These initiatives aim to provide safe drinking water and achieve universal sanitation coverage across rural India, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation said in its end of year review report.

Launched in August 2019, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) seeks to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households by 2024. As of December 2023, the mission has reached a significant milestone, providing nearly 14 crore rural households with tap water connections, up from 11 crore at the beginning of the year.

The mission’s impact extends beyond mere access to water. A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in June 2023 highlighted that ensuring safely managed drinking water for all households in India could prevent nearly 400,000 deaths caused by diarrheal diseases and avert approximately 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to these diseases. This achievement could result in estimated cost savings of up to $101 billion, underscoring the mission’s significant multiplier effect on health.

In terms of employment generation, a study by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, released on August 11, 2023, assessed the employment potential of JJM at 2.8 crore person-years during the construction phase and 11.8 lakh person-years annually for operation and maintenance.

Addressing Water Quality

Ensuring water quality remains a primary objective of JJM. The program promotes regular testing of water samples at both source and delivery points. Currently, there are 2,113 water testing laboratories across the country, with 1,381 accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). These labs are now accessible to the public for testing water samples at nominal rates. In the fiscal year 2023-24, over 54 lakh water samples have been tested in laboratories.

To promote community participation, especially among women, at least five women in every village are being trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs) for testing water quality at the village level. To date, more than 23.5 lakh women have been trained in 4.97 lakh villages. During the fiscal year 2023-24, over 88 lakh water samples have been tested using FTKs.

The government prioritises districts affected by Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) to ensure potable tap water supply under JJM. In 61 such districts across five states, tap water connections have increased from 8 lakh (2.71 per cent ) to 2.09 crore (70.82 per cent ) households, leading to improved health outcomes in these regions. Additionally, as of July 20, 2023, safe drinking water has been provided in all arsenic and fluoride-affected habitations under JJM. This includes 14,020 arsenic-affected and 7,996 fluoride-affected habitations.

Advancing Rural Sanitation

Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G), launched on October 2, 2014, aims to eliminate open defecation and improve solid and liquid waste management in rural India. As of January 3, 2024, 90 per cent  of villages in India have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, marking a substantial increase from 1 lakh ODF Plus villages in December 2022 to over 5 lakh by December 2023.

In recognition of women’s contributions to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, the President of India conferred the ‘Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman’ 2023 to 36 women WASH champions. This honor underscores the pivotal role women play in driving and sustaining sanitation and water supply initiatives at the grassroots level.

The ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign, conducted from September 15 to October 2, 2023, witnessed mass participation from over 109 crore people. Notably, 53 crore individuals undertook ‘Shramdaan for Swachhata,’ averaging 3 crore daily participations. This massive engagement reflects the community’s commitment to cleanliness and sanitation.

Future Outlook

For the fiscal year 2023-24, the government allocated a gross budgetary support of ₹70,000 crore for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water for all rural households by 2024.

The achievements of 2024 highlight the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation’s dedication to creating a ‘Swachh Sujal’ nation. With continued efforts and community participation, the vision of universal access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation in rural India is on a promising trajectory toward realisation.