Ministry of Jal Shakti Organizes Virtual Conference on Water Mission Convergence

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized the third virtual conference with States and Union Territories as part of thematic consultations following the Departmental Summit on Water 2026 held on September 1-2, 2026. The conference focused on strengthening convergence between Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 and VB-G RAM G to advance source sustainability, water security, and Gram Panchayat-led planning for sustainable rural drinking water service delivery.

Senior officials from State PHEDs/Rural Water Supply Departments, Rural Development Departments, Panchayati Raj Departments, and representatives from the Ministries of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj participated. States including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan shared their experiences and initiatives on source sustainability, operation and maintenance of water supply assets, and use of digital planning tools.

Key Objectives and Framework

Secretary DDWS, Shri Ashok K.K. Meena, emphasized that while Jal Jeevan Mission has created extensive rural drinking water infrastructure, JJM 2.0 shifts focus toward ensuring long-term functionality, reliability, and sustainability of these assets. He stressed that sustainable drinking water services require systematic protection, recharge, and management of drinking water sources alongside regular maintenance of infrastructure.

The VB-G RAM G program provides a framework for undertaking 128 water security-related works covering groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, watershed treatment, rejuvenation of water bodies, source sustainability, and maintenance of water-related assets. Convergence should focus on two key objectives: sustainability of drinking water sources and continued functionality of infrastructure created under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Planning and Implementation Mechanisms

The Secretary underscored the need for integrating JJM Village Action Plans and Source Sustainability Plans with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans (VGPPs) and ensuring their incorporation into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) process. Water security interventions should emerge from scientific assessment of local water resources and be approved through Gram Sabha for community ownership and accountability.

States were urged to utilize the Decision Support System (DSS) developed under JJM 2.0 and Yuktdhara Standard Operating Procedures for identifying vulnerable drinking water sources and scientifically prioritizing interventions. The selection of source sustainability works should be based on scientific assessments and local needs, including interventions such as check dams, gully plugs, recharge shafts, injection wells, underground dykes, and rooftop rainwater harvesting structures.

Institutional Coordination and Priority Outcomes

The Secretary directed States to establish clear mechanisms for technical scrutiny, approval, implementation, and monitoring of convergence works. He emphasized coordinated action among Rural Water Supply, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj Departments at State, district, and Gram Panchayat levels, supported by institutional platforms such as District Water and Sanitation Missions (DWSMs), State Water and Sanitation Missions (SWSMs), and State-level Apex Committees.

Five priority outcomes were identified for States and UTs: alignment of JJM plans with Gram Panchayat plans under VB-G RAM G; scientific identification of source sustainability works using DSS and Yuktdhara; establishment of technical scrutiny and approval mechanisms; seamless inter-departmental data sharing; and creation of joint monitoring systems for tracking both physical progress and water security outcomes.

State Experiences and Technical Tools

Odisha shared its experience in implementing large-scale water conservation and source sustainability interventions through convergence, highlighting initiatives relating to groundwater recharge, greywater management, catchment treatment, source protection, and climate-resilient water infrastructure. Madhya Pradesh presented initiatives to operationalize provisions under the O&M Rules, 2026, and facilitate maintenance of rural water supply schemes through Gram Panchayats. Rajasthan presented a framework for preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance of rural water supply infrastructure through convergence with VB-G RAM G.

Shri Sumit Priyadarshi, Deputy Advisor, NJJM, presented on the Implementation of the Decision Support System (DSS) for Source Sustainability and Mitigation of Drinking-Water Risks, describing DSS as a key tool for identifying vulnerable drinking water sources facing water quality and quantity risks. Assam shared its experience in using DSS for identification and verification of water-quantity stressed villages.

Monitoring and Future Actions

Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission, Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, stressed that States must ensure investments under VB-G RAM G are directed toward addressing drinking water challenges identified through DSS. Efforts are underway to integrate information about drinking water sources and associated Gram Panchayats into the Rural Development MIS for better monitoring of planning, expenditure, and implementation.

States were urged to undertake post-monsoon assessment and testing of drinking water sources, validate water source conditions through field verification, and prepare suitable mitigation plans. Regional conferences are scheduled from November 2026 for presenting concrete action plans.

The conference concluded with a shared commitment by the Centre and States/UTs to operationalize the convergence framework and accelerate implementation of source sustainability interventions under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 and VB-G RAM G, with the ultimate objective of ensuring long-term sustainability of drinking water sources and reliable rural drinking water services.