NEW DELHI, October 3 — The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, on Saturday issued comprehensive operational guidelines for 'Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0' (JJM 2.0), committing a dedicated budgetary outlay of ₹1.5 lakh crore through FY 2029-30 to ensure source sustainability, water quality telemetry, and circular greywater management across rural India.
According to the policy blueprint, having attained widespread functional household tap connection (FHTC) coverage under the initial 2019 mandate, JJM 2.0 pivots toward securing the lifecycle sustainability of village drinking water supply infrastructure. Key interventions prioritize decentralized greywater stabilization ponds, soak pits, fecal sludge co-treatment facilities, and artificial aquifer recharge structures developed in convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and 15th Finance Commission rural local body grants.
Jal Shakti Ministry officials stated that Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart water telemetry sensors will be installed across all regional piped water supply grids to track terminal water pressure, residual chlorine levels, and volumetric discharge in real time. Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and Pani Samitis will receive statutory operation and maintenance (O&M) funding allocations.
The institutional framework of the Jal Jeevan Mission (launched in August 2019 guaranteeing 55 litres of potable water per capita per day), the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (11th Schedule Entry 11 allocating drinking water to Panchayats), Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for all by 2030), and the Atal Bhujal Yojana are core topics across UPSC Civil Services (GS-II: Governance & Social Justice & GS-III: Water Resources) and State PSC examinations.