Arunachal Pradesh has taken a major step towards strengthening rural drinking water infrastructure and ensuring long-term water security by signing a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the agreement would help improve drinking water services across the state and support efforts to provide safe and reliable tap water to every household, including those located in remote and difficult terrain areas.
The MoU was signed with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti as part of the Centre’s revamped Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 programme, which focuses on sustainability, improved service delivery and stronger community participation in the management of rural water supply systems.
In a social media post after the signing of the agreement, Khandu described the development as an important milestone for the state.
He said the programme would help address water scarcity, strengthen service delivery mechanisms and contribute to the broader vision of ensuring universal access to safe drinking water.
The agreement was signed during a programme attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, Minister of State V. Somanna and senior officials from the Central and state governments. Khandu joined the programme virtually along with Arunachal Pradesh Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Minister Mama Natung.
Officials said Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 has been designed to build on the progress achieved under the first phase of the mission while introducing reforms aimed at improving the long-term sustainability of rural water supply systems.
Under the new framework, states are expected to undertake institutional and structural reforms to strengthen water management systems. Greater emphasis will be placed on community participation, with village-level water and sanitation committees playing a larger role in the operation, maintenance and monitoring of water supply schemes.
The programme also seeks to improve accountability and service quality while ensuring that drinking water infrastructure remains functional and sustainable over the long term.
According to officials, the reform-linked model will allow states to access central assistance based on performance benchmarks and the successful implementation of reform measures. This approach is intended to encourage better governance and more efficient delivery of drinking water services.
The Union Cabinet approved Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 earlier this year with an enhanced financial outlay and an implementation period extending until December 2028. The mission aims to ensure reliable and sustainable drinking water services to rural households while strengthening water quality monitoring systems across the country.
For Arunachal Pradesh, where many villages are located in geographically challenging regions, the programme is expected to provide additional support for expanding and maintaining water supply infrastructure. Officials said the initiative would help accelerate efforts to bring safe tap water connections to households that continue to face difficulties in accessing regular drinking water supplies.
The state government believes that the implementation of JJM 2.0 will not only improve access to drinking water but also contribute to better public health, improved living conditions and sustainable rural development.
