Unfulfilled ambition: Modi's water project falls short of addressing India's water scarcity issues
In the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, the village of Lat is grappling with the stark disparity between government records and the reality on the ground regarding the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). This mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 with the ambitious goal of providing tap water to all rural homes by 2024, has faced numerous challenges.
A recent audit conducted by Vikas Sahyog Kendra, a local non-profit, revealed that only 3% of the work in the 12 surveyed villages was complete, despite 78% of the total cost being spent. In the neighbouring village of Barkheta, two taps installed outside homes never worked, and a water tank remains unused, despite residents' objections.
The world's most populous nation, India, faces a looming water crisis with demand for water expected to outstrip supply twofold by the end of this decade. The JJM, with its goal of providing tap water connections to over 19 crore rural households by 2024, was seen as a critical step towards addressing this issue. However, the mission's progress has been marred by various factors.
One of the key issues is the expanding scope of the mission. Originally targeting 19 crore rural households, the mission was extended to 2028 due to an increase in demand, including an additional 4 crore households added after March 2024. This expansion has increased infrastructure requirements, complicating progress tracking and causing delays in meeting original targets.
Another challenge is the groundwater scarcity in many regions, necessitating the development of surface water infrastructure, which is more complex and resource-intensive. This has affected the timely provision of functional tap connections and contributed to implementation gaps not fully captured in official records.
Execution delays and errors by contractors have also hampered the smooth rollout of the mission. In some states like Kerala, projects have come to a standstill despite financial allocations, reflecting challenges in translating funds and plans into physical progress.
Monitoring and reporting gaps are another concern. Although government data reports significant achievements, some local-level discrepancies persist due to reporting errors, incomplete work after payments, and the need for tighter monitoring and proactive district-level engagement.
Officials emphasize the need for regular field visits, collaboration with local leaders, and prompt investigation of incomplete works to close gaps in implementation. Variations in the quality of on-ground verification versus reported data contribute to the mismatch between records and reality.
The discrepancies between the JJM's progress and the actual situation on the ground in rural India are multifaceted, stemming from the evolving scope of the mission, technical challenges with water sources, contractor and execution delays, and incomplete or uneven monitoring at local levels.
Despite these challenges, Himanshu Kulkarni, co-founder of the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management, describes the JJM as "very unique, ambitious, and much needed." However, he emphasizes the need for a site-specific approach and better collaboration with local communities and civil society actors.
As the JJM continues to face scrutiny and challenges, it is crucial to address these issues to ensure that all rural households in India can access clean, reliable water. The government has not responded to Context's repeated requests for comment regarding the audit findings and the situation in Barkheta village.
- Addressing the water crisis in India, especially the goal of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide tap water to all rural homes by 2024, is crucial for fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) related to water security.
- The JJM, despite facing numerous challenges such as execution delays, expanding scope, groundwater scarcity, and monitoring and reporting gaps, is considered "very unique, ambitious, and much needed" by experts.
- To ensure a smooth rollout of the JJM, technology can play a significant role in enabling real-time monitoring and addressing incomplete works, thereby bridging the gap between reported data and reality.
- Advances in science and medical-conditions, such as developing water treatment technologies, can help address groundwater scarcity issues and promote a healthy lifestyle in rural areas.
- Financial investments in education-and-self-development and general-news media can aid in raising awareness about water security and promoting responsible consumption, thereby contributing to the success of initiatives like the JJM. Additionally, sports can be instrumental in fostering team spirit among project workers, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
