Lok Sabha Question No. 879 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-07
Subject: JJM in Himalayan Region
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-879

ANSWERED ON-07.12.2023

## JJM in Himalayan Region

## 879. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the Himalayan region is successful in all types of residences-hill, mountain, plain, rocky and extreme harsh climates and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the JJM is successful in the winter seasons in the Himalayan region and if not, the solution therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has been able to manage and distribute drinking water in water crisis villages in the UT of Ladakh; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) and (b) Government of India, in partnership with States/UTs including those in Himalayan region, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), since August 2019, to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household in adequate quantity (55 lpcd), of prescribed quality (BIS 10:500) and on a regular and long-term basis. Significant progress has been made under JJM in Himalayan region since its inception as reported by the States/ UTs:

(Households in Nos.)

| Sr. No.   | State             | Total Rural households   | Households with tap water connections as on 15.08.2019   | Households with tap water connections as on 15.08.2019   | Households with tap water connections as on 05.12.2023   | Households with tap water connections as on 05.12.2023   | increase in household connection since launch of JJM   | increase in household connection since launch of JJM   |
|-----------|-------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
|           |                   |                          | Nos.                                                     | in%                                                      | Nos.                                                     | in%                                                      | Nos.                                                   | in%                                                    |
| 1.        | Arunachal Pradesh | 2,28,921                 | 22,796                                                   | 9.96                                                     | 2,19,784                                                 | 96.01                                                    | 1,96,988                                               | 86.05                                                  |
| 2.        | Himachal Pradesh  | 17,08,727                | 7,62,721                                                 | 44.64                                                    | 17,08,727                                                | 100                                                      | 9,46,006                                               | 55.36                                                  |
| 3.        | Jammu &Kashmir    | 18,70,347                | 5,75,466                                                 | 30.77                                                    | 14,06,407                                                | 75.19                                                    | 8,30,941                                               | 44.42                                                  |
| 4.        | Ladakh            | 41,962                   | 1,414                                                    | 3.37                                                     | 37,392                                                   | 89.11                                                    | 35,978                                                 | 85.74                                                  |
| 5.        | Sikkim            | 1,31,880                 | 70,345                                                   | 53.34                                                    | 1,16,651                                                 | 88.45                                                    | 46,306                                                 | 35.11                                                  |
| 6.        | Uttarakhand       | 14,54,129                | 1,30,325                                                 | 8.96                                                     | 12,62,922                                                | 86.85                                                    | 11,32,597                                              | 77.89                                                  |

Household tap  connections  have  been  given  despite  having  various  challenges  with  regard  to topography & climatic conditions which inter alia include difficult terrain, limited water sources, freezing temperatures during winters, high implementation cost, climate change etc.

(c)  and  (d)  As  reported  by  the  UT  of  Ladakh,  the  UT  administration  has  adopted  various technological solutions to ensure smooth implementation of the schemes under JJM in villages where  water  crisis  was  prevalent  during  previous  winters.  Some  of  the  measures  adopted  in implementation of the schemes are as under:

- i.) Special frost-resistant materials and insulation of pipes to avoid freezing of water.
- ii.) Focus on gravity-fed systems by utilizing natural elevation changes to minimize pumping and energy dependence.
- iii.) Solar-powered water pumps for addressing electricity limitations in remote areas.
- iv.) Freeze-thaw  resistant  material  by  using  specialized  insulation  to  withstand  extreme temperatures.
- v.) Involving  local  communities  in  planning,  construction,  and  maintenance  to  ensure ownership and sustainability.
- vi.) Creating awareness on bleeding of taps during winter and waste-water management.

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