New Delhi, Mar 17 (KNO): The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 81.06% tap water coverage in rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), surpassing the national average of 79.91%, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha.
In response to a question raised by Baramulla MP Sheikh Rashid, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna stated that since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a significant increase in tap water connections, with 9.84 lakh additional rural households now having access to safe drinking water.
Out of the total 19.23 lakh rural households, approximately 15.59 lakh now have functional tap water connections, highlighting the success of the government’s efforts to improve water accessibility.
As per the district-wise breakdown, Ganderbal and Srinagar have achieved 100% coverage, ensuring tap water access to every rural household. Anantnag (92.91%), Shopian (92.27%), Reasi (90.72%), and Budgam (89.43%) are among the best-performing districts in the UT.
Despite receiving substantial funding over the last four years—₹6,044.66 crore since 2021-22—some districts are still lagging. Jammu district, which has the highest number of rural households (1.88 lakh), has only 66.4% coverage, while Rajouri (65.98%) and Samba (67.37%) also fall behind.
The government has prioritized the aspirational districts of Baramulla and Kupwara, which have seen a massive improvement in tap water connectivity. Baramulla now has 88.86% coverage, while Kupwara stands at 83.02%, both exceeding the UT’s average—(KNO)