Muzamil Ahmad
Srinagar March 06: Jammu and Kashmir aims to achieve tap water connectivity for all households as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission by the end of 2024.
Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program launched by Prime Minister on August 15, 2019, is aimed to provide functional household tap connection (FHTC) to every rural household.
According to official figures, J&K has also targeted to achieve this objective by covering all its 18.70 lakh rural households with tap water connections capable of supplying water in adequate quantity (>55 lpcd) and of prescribed quality (confirming to BIS 10500) on a long term and sustainable basis by 2024 end.
“With the saturation of 14.11 lakh out of 18.70 lakh rural households with tap water connections, Jammu and Kashmir crosses 75% coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission and enters into ‘High Achievers’ category at National Level,” the figures reveal.
Since 2019, a huge infrastructure in the shape of about 1253 Dug-well/ Bore-well/ Tube-well sources, 463 Over Head Tanks, 438 Rapid Sand Filtration Plants, 1020 Slow Sand Filtration Plants besides thousands of Ground Service Reservoirs, Lift Stations and Pipe distribution works is being created, at an estimated cost of Rs. 12975.00 Crore, under 3346 water supply schemes planned under the Mission.
“Out of such 6590 work components involved in these schemes, 6416 (97%) have been allotted and 5747 (87%) works have been started as well. 6630 Pani Samitis – sub-committees of Gram panchayat,have been constituted covering all the villages of the UT who are actively participating in planning, implementing and monitoring mission activities in their respective villages,” the figures reveal.
For an effective monitoring system of quality of water being supplied to the public, a network of 98 laboratories, at UT, district and sub divisional level have been strengthened/ established.
Over 10 district laboratories have been accredited with NABL and the accreditation of remaining 10 district laboratories and02UT level laboratories is in the final stage, the documents say.
“For Water Quality Surveillance by the community itself, about 7500 Field Testing Kits (FTKs) have been distributed among the Pani Samitis. More than 33000 women have been trained for use of Field-Testing Kits in checking the quality of water and reporting the results online through WQMIS portal,” the documents say.
A robust monitoring mechanism through district level project management units (DPMUs), third party inspecting agencies (TPIAs), UT level team of experts/ consultants and Pani Samitis besides District Jal Jeevan Missions headed by the respective district development commissioners have been established in addition to the routine monitoring by the PHED engineers.
Procurement of all works and materials is being done through competitive e-tendering system only.
Process of ‘Har Ghar Jal Certification’ by Gram Panchayat according to documents has been put in place to ensure ownership, transparency and awareness, about the work done and the household connections provided in the village.
Every tap water connection provided is uploaded on the IMIS portal of JJM with Aadhar linkage of the beneficiary.
"Tawi Barrage Project, envisaging creation of an artificial lake to enhance tourism potential of Jammu has been recommenced after 08 years. Project execution now is in full swing and likely to be completed during the current Financial Year, at a cost of Rs. 64.80 Crore."
During year 2022-23, the desilting and other repair works of major canals of Jammu province was completed in record time of 59 days and all major canals were recharged on 7th March 2023 one month prior to the earlier practice of execution of these works in more than three months’ (period from January to 13th of April on the Eve of Baisakhi).
Comprehensive flood management of river Jehlum and its tributaries (Phase II) is going on at a project cost of Rs. 1623.43 crore. This includes priority work on Hokersar at a cost of Rs. 28.50 crore, aimed at reclaiming and preserving wetlands, is expected to be completed during the current financial year, the documents added.
