New Delhi (IANS): Over 44% of rural households in Jharkhand and Kerala still lack tap water connections, according to data shared by the Jal Shakti Ministry in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Nationally, while the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has made massive strides since 2019, approximately 3.54 crore village homes (18.29%) still await piped water.
The Numbers in Jharkhand and Kerala
Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, revealed that these two states face the steepest remaining climb toward 100% coverage:
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Kerala: 45.12% of rural homes (31.93 lakh households) lack tap water.
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Jharkhand: 44.82% of rural homes (28.03 lakh households) are still waiting for the facility.
National Success Stories
Conversely, 11 States and Union Territories have already achieved 100% coverage. This list includes Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Nagaland, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, and the UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Progress Since 2019
At the Mission’s launch in 2019, only 16.7% of rural India had tap water. As of March 3, 2026, the government has added over 12.58 crore connections.
Current Status (as of March 3, 2026):
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Total Rural Households: 19.36 Crore
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Homes with Tap Water: 15.82 Crore (81.71%)
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Pending Households: 3.54 Crore
Quality and Functionality
The Ministry emphasized that water quality must meet BIS:10500 standards. States can utilize up to 2% of their annual JJM funds for water quality monitoring. A 2024 assessment found that 76% of all household tap connections are fully functional based on quantity, quality, and regularity of supply.
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