Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has signed a reform-oriented Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0. This agreement extends the mission's deadline to December 2028, aiming to achieve 100% rural tap water connectivity across the state.
Revised Timeline for 'Har Ghar Jal'
The revised timeline targets the 'Har Ghar Jal' (water in every household) goal within two years for Tripura. The state has already made significant progress, covering 86.34% of rural households and providing tap water connections to more than 6.48 lakh families.
Officials reported that 131 villages and 4,711 habitations have achieved full coverage. Piped water supply has also been extended to 4,319 schools and 8,585 anganwadi centres throughout Tripura.
Sharp Turnaround Since JJM Launch
Chief Minister Saha highlighted the remarkable transformation since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission. "Prior to the Jal Jeevan Mission's launch, only 3% of rural households in Tripura had access to tap water," he said, adding that the state now exceeds the national average in rural tap water coverage.
Shift to Service Delivery Model
The MoU under JJM 2.0 signals a shift from infrastructure-led execution to a service delivery model. Key focus areas include sustainability of water sources, water quality monitoring systems, and community-driven management of utilities. Saha credited the state government's role in expanding pipeline connectivity in remote and marginalised areas, stating that the progress reflects committed governance with much of the groundwork already completed.
The Union minister called for faster completion of pending projects and issued guidelines to accelerate implementation, emphasising that the outcomes of the Jal Jeevan Mission are linked to broader national development goals.
Initiatives Strengthening JJM 2.0
Saha noted that initiatives such as Sujalam Bharat Abhiyan and Jal Arpan Diwas have strengthened the base for JJM 2.0. He expressed confidence that extending the mission to December 2028 is expected to boost development activity across Tripura.
The state's progress under the mission has been commendable, with a sharp increase from just 3% coverage to over 86% in a relatively short period. The focus now remains on achieving 100% connectivity and ensuring sustainable water management for all rural households.
