New Delhi: Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil inaugurated the 2nd State Water Ministers’ Conference on Water Security on Tuesday with a traditional Jal Kalash Ceremony. The event was held in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Speaking at the conference, C R Patil highlighted the significant progress made under the Jal Jeevan Mission and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and sustainable drinking water for every rural household in India. He stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the mission has achieved unprecedented milestones, with over 80% of rural households now having access to tap water connections. This has benefited more than 15 crore families, providing them with clean and safe drinking water at their doorstep.

He spoke about the mission’s impact on public health, women’s empowerment, and community participation. According to WHO estimates, the initiative has helped prevent four lakh deaths caused by waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea. Additionally, it has significantly reduced health-related expenses, improving the overall well-being of rural communities.

A key aspect of the mission has been its focus on empowering women, with 25 lakh women trained to test water quality using field testing kits. This has strengthened community-led monitoring, ensuring that the water supplied to households meets quality standards. The availability of tap water has also saved 5.5 crore hours per day for women, allowing them to engage in economic, educational, and social activities.

Patil stated that water security is a fundamental pillar of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and that the Jal Jeevan Mission is playing a crucial role in achieving this goal. With steady progress and strong community participation, the government remains committed to making clean drinking water accessible to all.

BI Bureau