New Delhi: 82 per cent of rural households now have tap water connections, against 17 per cent in 2019 when the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched, President Draupadi Murmu said on Wednesday.
Addressing the Jal Mahotsav programme, the President said that water is not just an essential utility in India but is deeply connected to the country’s culture, traditions, livelihood and community life.
“It is a matter of great relief that around 82 per cent of rural households currently have access to tap water, whereas in 2019, when the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched, this number was only 17 per cent. For this extraordinary success, I congratulate Union Minister Jal Shakti CR Patel and his entire team,” she said.
“Water is the basis of life. In our tradition, water has been revered as a cure for many diseases. In our national song Vande Mataram, which we are celebrating its 150th anniversary, the first word is ‘Sugalam’, which means ‘abundance of good water resources’. Thus, in India, water has never been just a basic facility; it is deeply connected to our culture, tradition, livelihood and community life,” she added.
Pointing out that earlier rural families had to struggle to get drinking water, and women and children often had to travel long distances to get it, Murmu said that today clean and safe water reaches homes, reflecting the success of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The President also emphasized the role of technology in improving water management, noting that platforms like the Sujalam Bharat app, real-time dashboards and decision support systems ensure transparent monitoring and effective planning.
“At the same time, digital platforms like the Meri Panchayat App and Panchayat Dashboard provide information about water services at the gram panchayat level. This increases community engagement and enhances transparency and accountability in water supply systems,” she added.
Murmu also said that solutions are also being explored for those who are unable to access digital platforms for various reasons.
She said that in order to preserve water resources, the participation of all segments of society is necessary in addition to technical management.
Noting that Wednesday is World Plumbing Day, the President said she appreciates the contributions of all plumbers and technicians in ensuring healthy water, sanitation and water supply.
She said, “Conserving water is a responsibility that falls on all of us. We should not look at water only as a resource for use, but as a precious heritage for future generations. If water is available, there is a future.”
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