Parliament Question: FHTCs under JJM in Thane District

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3105 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 FHTCs UNDER JJM IN THANE DISTRICT †3105. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the current status of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Thane district of Maharashtra;

(b) the manner in which the quality of drinking water and regularity of water supply are being monitored;

(c) the special measures taken by the Government to ensure drinking water supply in areas facing water scarcity during the summer season; and

(d) the timeline fixed by the Government for completion of the pending projects? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

(a) to (d) Drinking Water is a ‘State’ subject, and hence, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation & maintenance of drinking water supply schemes lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Under JJM, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes.

Significant progress has been made in Thane district of Maharashtra since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission, towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, only 66,075 (25.29%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. As on date, as reported by State, out of 2.61 lakh rural households in the district, more than 1.98 lakh (75.93%) households are reported to have tap water connections in their homes (Source: JJM-IMIS).

The following corrective actions have been taken to address and overcome implementation deficiencies and ensure quality works under JJM in various parts of the country including

Maharashtra: i. Celebration of Jal Arpan Diwas – for transparent handing over of scheme to community where the Local MPs and MLAs are to be invited.

Page 1 of 2ii. District Technical Unit (DTU) to be constituted to monitor and provide support to assure the water supply in the Panchayats and villages. iii. Jal Sewa Ankalan to be carried out by Panchayat for all the villages. The issues to be reviewed by District Technical Unit (DTU) and action to be taken by DWSM.

iv. Sujalam Bharat database to be used for reporting all the water supply assets of rural areas on digital platforms such as JJM IMIS, PM Gati Shakti. v. O&M Policy Finalization- Expedite the notification of the State O&M Policy in accordance with the national framework.

vi. Third-Party Inspection Agency (TPIA) of all the works under JJM with involvement of district administrative authorities. vii. Source and Asset Protection Advisory to be issued by district-level for protection of water sources and JJM assets, including pipelines, reservoirs, and pump houses.

State has informed that water quality testing is carried out regularly during the pre- monsoon and post-monsoon seasons to ensure that potable water supplied to rural households conforms to the prescribed quality standards. The functioning of water supply schemes is monitored periodically by the implementing agencies and field functionaries to ensure regular and adequate supply of safe drinking water.

Further, Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. To ensure long-term sustainability of drinking water supply, the Mission provides for development, strengthening and augmentation of drinking water sources, along with creation of bulk water transfer, treatment and distribution infrastructure, particularly in water-scarce, drought-prone and desert areas. States/UTs have been advised to undertake source sustainability measures such as rainwater harvesting, recharge structures, rejuvenation of water bodies and reuse of greywater through convergence with programmes such as VB G RAM G erstwhile MGNREGA, Finance Commission tied grants, State schemes and CSR initiatives. These efforts are complemented by national initiatives including Jal Shakti

Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari, the National Aquifer Mapping Programme and Atal Bhujal Yojana.

States/UTs have been advised to review the status of preparedness at all levels and take all possible measures required to keep the piped water supply infrastructure operational and take expeditious action to address any gaps to avoid any disruption in drinking water supply during the summer period.

State has planned to complete all pending projects in Thane district by June 2028. ***** Page 2 of 2