In a major development, the Jal Jeevan Mission has successfully provided clean drinking water to Chunchuna village, a Naxal-affected area in Balrampur, Chhattisgarh, marking the first time since Independence that the village has had access to such water.
This milestone has positively impacted around 100 households, ensuring a consistent supply of pure and adequate drinking water.
The Jal Jeevan Mission, a national program aimed at providing safe and sufficient drinking water through individual household tap connections, is also focused on promoting water sustainability. It includes measures such as greywater management, rainwater harvesting, and water conservation efforts to ensure that water resources are preserved for future use.
Pankaj Jain, the Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, shared details of the development with ANI, highlighting that Chunchuna had faced long-standing water scarcity issues.
"This village, located in a remote area surrounded by forests and near the border, had limited access to drinking water. However, under the Jal Jeevan Mission, we have managed to provide clean water to the people here. We are also working on developing water sources for other villages that have yet to receive water," he said.
Chunchuna, located on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border, had previously been challenged by its isolation and the Naxal influence in the region. The villagers had to travel long distances to fetch water, which posed significant difficulties.
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The lack of roads made it impossible to dig bore wells, exacerbating the problem. However, with the new infrastructure, roads have been built, and each household is now receiving a 24-hour water supply.
"Previously, we had to travel far to get water. With the new water supply, we have great relief," said one of the villagers. Another resident expressed similar sentiments, appreciating the relief brought by the government’s provision of clean water.
This successful implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission is a reflection of the government's commitment to improving the quality of life for rural communities. More than 60% of rural households across India now have access to clean drinking water, thanks to the initiative.
Additionally, the program has empowered local communities, particularly women, to manage and monitor their water supplies effectively, ensuring better community participation in water management.
With this achievement, the government has taken a significant step towards transforming rural India, offering villagers in Chunchuna much-needed relief from water scarcity.
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