Pune: The Jal Jeevan Mission is transforming rural life in Pune district, where 556 villages now have functional tap water connections, ensuring clean drinking water reaches every household. Under this initiative, a total of 1,239 tap water projects were proposed for the district, out of which over 500 have been successfully completed in the past two years.
Jal Jeevan Mission’s Impact in Pune District
The Central Government’s "Har Ghar Jal" scheme, implemented through the Jal Jeevan Mission, aims to provide tap water to every home across the country. Pune district consists of 1,845 revenue villages, with 1,239 villages included under the Jal Jeevan Mission and an additional 500 villages benefiting from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran’s water supply projects.
Benefits for Rural Communities
With tap water now available in several villages, thousands of families no longer need to rely on traditional water-fetching methods. The government expects the remaining projects to be completed in phases, ensuring comprehensive rural water supply coverage.
One of the major impacts of the project is on women in rural areas, who previously had to walk long distances, often carrying heavy water pots. Now, with tap water available at home, their daily hardship has been reduced significantly. Moreover, access to clean drinking water is expected to curb waterborne diseases, improving public health in rural communities.
Project Progress in Different Talukas
Khed taluka has shown the fastest progress, with tap water projects completed in 100 villages.
Baramati and Daund talukas have the least number of completed projects, though work is ongoing.
Manisha Gaikwad, Resident of Khed said, "The water supply project in our village has been in progress for a long time. A few days ago, it was finally completed, and now tap water has started flowing directly into our homes. This is especially beneficial in summer when fetching water used to be a difficult task."
Amit Patharwat, Executive Engineer, Rural Water Supply Department, Zilla Parishad stated: "Out of 1,200 villages in the district, more than 550 have successfully implemented tap water projects. This will not only provide a reliable water source for these communities but also reduce the burden on women. We are hopeful that the remaining villages will be covered soon."