Srinagar March 8: Over 75 percent households in rural areas have tap water connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to official figures, J&K has targeted to provide water connectivity by covering all its 18.70 lakh rural households by the end of 2024.
Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program launched by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2019, is aimed to provide functional household tap connection (FHTC) to every rural household.
Over 10 district laboratories have been accredited with NABL and the accreditation of remaining 10 district laboratories and 02 UT 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.
District-level project management units (DPMUs), third-party inspecting agencies (TPIAs), UT-level teams of experts/consultants, and Pani Samitis, along with District Jal Jeevan Missions led by respective district development commissioners, form a robust monitoring mechanism. This is in addition to routine monitoring by PHED engineers.
All works and material procurement strictly adhere to the competitive e-tendering system. The ‘Har Ghar Jal Certification’ process by Gram Panchayats ensures ownership, transparency, and awareness of water-related activities in villages. Every tap water connection is documented on the IMIS portal of JJM with Aadhar linkage for beneficiaries.
“Tawi Barrage Project, envisaging the creation of an artificial lake to enhance the 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, for Rs. 64.80 Crore,” the documents read.
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 for Rs 28.50 crore, aimed at reclaiming and preserving wetlands, and is expected to be completed during the current financial year, the documents added.
