The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized the 12th District Collectors' Peyjal Samvad on September 15, 2026, through video conferencing. The meeting brought together senior officials and District Collectors/Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners to accelerate implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and share best practices. The session was chaired by Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, with Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), and senior officers from SWSM and DDWS in attendance.
Shri Meena emphasized the importance of regular monthly District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) meetings to review scheme progress, service delivery, water quality, and source sustainability under JJM 2.0. He stressed that completed schemes should be handed over to Gram Panchayats through the Jal Arpan programme after prescribed trial runs and proper documentation to promote community ownership and sustainable operation and maintenance. He urged districts to actively involve MPs, MLAs, and other public representatives through Jal Arpan ceremonies, DISHA meetings, and DWSM reviews to enhance transparency. He also highlighted the need for timely utilization of JJM 2.0 funds, accurate reporting of physical and financial progress, and preparation of District and State Improvement Plans to address service gaps.
Six districts presented their progress and innovative practices:
Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh reported that civil and electrical works for water supply schemes are largely completed, with remaining works expected to be commissioned by November 2026. The district conducts weekly reviews to ensure timely completion of all Single Village Schemes (SVSs) and Multi Village Schemes (MVSs). Out of 544 completed SVSs, 405 have been handed over, with 35 more planned for handover on October 2, 2026, through Jal Arpan. The district targets full completion and functionality of all rural water supply schemes by December 2026 and plans to declare the district fully functional by January 26, 2027. Innovative practices include a digital platform for overhead tank cleaning and maintenance, online collection of water and sanitation charges through UPI and net banking, and systems to strengthen Gram Panchayat-led operation and maintenance.
Samba, Jammu & Kashmir increased Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) coverage from about 23% to nearly 70%, adding approximately 35,000 new tap connections. The district implemented 130 water supply schemes supported by filtration plants, tube wells, dug wells, pumping stations, and storage infrastructure. Despite challenges including difficult hilly terrain, declining groundwater levels, source sustainability concerns, power supply constraints, and land-related issues, the district adopted location-specific solutions. Notable interventions include reviving a 60-year-old dug well at Uttar Behni Temple that now serves hundreds of households and developing customized schemes for remote hilly villages using filtration plants and tube wells.
Hooghly, West Bengal shifted focus to community participation, service assessment, and grievance redressal after creating substantial drinking water infrastructure. Under Jal Seva Abhiyan, village-level service assessments were conducted by Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and validated, with findings incorporated into the District Improvement Plan. Community awareness initiatives involved nearly seven lakh women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), focusing on water conservation, efficient water use, and source sustainability. The district established a robust grievance redressal mechanism through multiple channels including helplines, emails, public representatives, and government platforms, with dedicated weekly public hearing days. Strict action has been taken against illegal water connections and unauthorized usage.
Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh reported significant progress in MVS implementation, with most schemes completed and remaining works pending clearances in forest and tiger reserve areas. Regular DWSM meetings are conducted twice monthly focusing on scheme sustainability, convergence activities, payment issues, and service delivery improvements. The district strengthened community ownership through active VWSC participation, with online user charge collection based on population served. Gram Panchayats handle day-to-day operation and maintenance. Awareness generation through SHGs and community mobilization is emphasized, with women comprising more than two-thirds of Sarpanches and community representatives. A solar-powered Single Village Scheme in a remote tribal habitation was highlighted as a success story.
Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab achieved 100% FHTC coverage for all 78,475 rural households across 429 villages, including full coverage of schools and Anganwadi centres. Nearly 80% of rural households receive more than 70 lpcd of water, exceeding the JJM benchmark of 55 lpcd. To address groundwater depletion and water quality concerns, the district implemented a 12 MLD surface water project from Rajpura Distributary, serving 92 villages and benefiting over 86,000 people in fluoride-affected areas. The district uses IoT-based real-time monitoring systems and a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism. Regular water quality surveillance is conducted through NABL-accredited laboratories and women-led community monitoring using Field Testing Kits (FTKs).
North and Middle Andaman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands achieved 100% FHTC coverage for approximately 24,400 households across all villages. Eight JJM schemes were completed with expenditure of about ₹5.2 crore. Monthly DWSM meetings address water availability and plan sustainability measures, including rejuvenation of water sources, construction of ponds, ring wells, and water treatment plants. The district works to expedite Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearances delayed by extensive forest cover. A decentralized approach includes village-level water storage structures and convergence with MGNREGA and other programmes. Collaboration with ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) helps identify spring sources, assess groundwater feasibility, and improve recharge measures. Regular water quality monitoring occurs through WQMIS-enabled laboratories, with a proactive grievance redressal mechanism supported by digital platforms.
In concluding remarks, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan urged Mission Directors to participate in upcoming Skilling and Nal Jal Mitra Programme discussions by coordinating with State Skill Development Departments before the September 21, 2026 virtual meeting. States/UTs were advised to commence geo-tagging of rural water supply sources from October 2, 2026, and organize Jal Arpan activities across maximum Gram Panchayats on that date, with participation details to be shared by September 20, 2026. States/UTs were also directed to initiate post-monsoon testing of water supply sources from October 2, 2026.