Lok Sabha Question No. 3425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Tap Water Connections in Bihar under JJM
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Sudhakar Singh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3425

ANSWERED ON 20.03.2025

## TAP WATER CONNECTIONS IN BIHAR UNDER JJM

## 3425.  SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of tap water connections provided to rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) along with the progress made in this regard in Bihar, district-wise, particularly in Buxar district;
- (b) the total funds allocated and utilized so far under JJM to improve rural drinking water supply in Bihar;
- (c) the current status of tap water installation and drinking water supply in the rural areas of Bihar and the time by which the Government proposes to ensure hundred per cent coverage in districts like Buxar and Kaimur;
- (d) whether there are any delays or challenges in the implementation of JJM in Bihar and if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  corrective  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the Government to ensure timely completion of projects; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure water quality and long-term sustainability of drinking water supply in Bihar, particularly in the regions facing groundwater depletion and contamination issues?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA )

- (a) Since August, 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), in partnership with States/ UTs, to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household of the country. Drinking water is a state subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval,  implementation,  operation,  and  maintenance  of  drinking  water  supply  schemes, including those under the JJM, lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the states by providing technical and financial assistance.  As reported by the State Government of Bihar on JJM-IMIS, as on 15.08.2019, only 3.16 lakh (1.89%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. Since then, 1.57 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 17.03.2025, out of 1.68 crore rural households, 1.60 crore (95.71%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. The district-wise details of tap water connections including Buxar district is Annexed .

(b) Under  JJM,  the  central  grant  was  released  to  state  during  2019-20  and  2020-21. Thereafter, the state vide their letter dated 28.08.2021 had informed that there was no need of fund under JJM. In addition, the then Hon'ble Minister of PHE, Government of Bihar vide his letter dated 18.10.2021 also informed that no scheme is proposed under JJM in the State.  The details of fund allocation, fund drawn and reported fund utilization during the last five years (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24) and current financial year 2024-25 (as on 17.03.2025) by Bihar are as under:

(Amount in Rs. Crore)

|          | Central         | Central    | Central    | Central        | Central              |                               |
|----------|-----------------|------------|------------|----------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|
| Year     | Opening Balance | Allocation | Fund Drawn | Available Fund | Reported utilization | Expenditure under State share |
| 2019-20  | 313.16          | 787.31     | 417.35     | 730.51         | 473.33               | 150.34                        |
| 2020-21  | 257.18          | 1,839.16   | 353.60     | 610.78         | 551.82               | 374.42                        |
| 2021-22  | 58.95           | 6,608.25   | 0.00       | 58.95          | 4.00                 | 336.79                        |
| 2022-23  | 54.95           | 4,766.90   | 0.00       | 54.95          | 0.00                 | 66.19                         |
| 2023-24  | 54.95           | 0.00       | 0.00       | 54.95          | 0.00                 | 0.00                          |
| 2024-25* | 54.95           | 0.00       | 0.00       | 54.95          | 0.00                 | 0.00                          |

Source: JJM-IMIS                                                                                      *as on 17.03.2025

(c) As on 17.03.2025, the State of Bihar has reported 95.71% households with tap water connection on JJM-IMIS. Furthermore, as the State Government has informed that all rural households will be provided with tap water connections, including those in Buxar and Kaimur, by December, 2025.

(d) The  state  government  of  Bihar  has  reported  litigation-challenges  in  execution  of drinking water supply projects has led to delay in implementation of the water supply projects in the State. To address this issue, the State Government is regularly monitoring the scheme to ensure timely completion of the project.

(e) The State Government has informed that various measures are being undertaken to long term  sustainability  of  water  source  in  convergence  with  other  departments.  Some  of  these measures include rejuvenation of water storage structures like ponds, Ahar-pyne, renovation of  wells,  construction  of  soak  pits,  etc.,  construction  of  check  dams,  other  water  storage structures in small rivers/ streams and water storage areas of hilly areas, construction of rooftop rainwater harvesting structures in buildings, creation of new water sources,  intensive tree planting, and demand side measures such as use of alternative farming methods like organic farming, sprinkler, drip irrigation etc. to minimize consumption of groundwater.

The monitoring of water quality of drinking water sources is being done, through 01-state laboratory, 38-district level laboratories and 75-sub-divisional laboratories, by testing the water samples from all drinking water sources at regular intervals and taking remedial action in case contamination is reported.

*****

## Annex referred to in part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no. 3425 answered on 20.03.2025

| Sr. No.   | District           | Total rural HHs   | Rural HHs with tap water connections as on 15.08.2019   | Rural HHs with tap water connections as on 15.08.2019   | Rural HHs with tap water connections as on 17.03.2025   | Rural HHs with tap water connections as on 17.03.2025   |
|-----------|--------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| Sr. No.   | District           | Total rural HHs   | No. (#)                                                 | %                                                       | No. (#)                                                 | %                                                       |
| 1.        | Araria             | 5,66,348          | 34,583                                                  | 6.16                                                    | 5,59,731                                                | 98.83                                                   |
| 2.        | Arwal              | 1,23,056          | 3,356                                                   | 2.53                                                    | 1,22,064                                                | 99.19                                                   |
| 3.        | Aurangabad         | 3,93,965          | 1,014                                                   | 0.21                                                    | 3,81,571                                                | 96.85                                                   |
| 4.        | Banka              | 3,25,875          | 6,654                                                   | 1.70                                                    | 3,25,310                                                | 99.83                                                   |
| 5.        | Begusarai          | 4,95,953          | 1,666                                                   | 0.26                                                    | 4,79,158                                                | 96.61                                                   |
| 6.        | Bhagalpur          | 4,36,737          | 7,272                                                   | 1.45                                                    | 4,20,824                                                | 96.36                                                   |
| 7.        | Bhojpur            | 3,91,365          | 4,345                                                   | 1.24                                                    | 3,84,358                                                | 98.21                                                   |
| 8.        | Buxar              | 2,56,587          | 1,927                                                   | 0.80                                                    | 2,52,354                                                | 98.35                                                   |
| 9.        | Darbhanga          | 7,37,499          | 13,212                                                  | 1.61                                                    | 6,29,774                                                | 85.39                                                   |
| 10.       | Gaya               | 5,94,001          | 10,239                                                  | 1.59                                                    | 5,76,659                                                | 97.08                                                   |
| 11.       | Gopalganj          | 3,85,187          | 6,230                                                   | 1.60                                                    | 3,80,294                                                | 98.73                                                   |
| 12.       | Jamui              | 2,38,038          | 4,522                                                   | 1.20                                                    | 2,34,818                                                | 98.65                                                   |
| 13.       | Jehanabad          | 1,75,299          | 7,317                                                   | 4.38                                                    | 1,73,347                                                | 98.89                                                   |
| 14.       | Kaimur (bhabua)    | 2,84,185          | 6,529                                                   | 2.71                                                    | 2,80,996                                                | 98.88                                                   |
| 15.       | Katihar            | 5,28,501          | 42,190                                                  | 7.80                                                    | 5,22,302                                                | 98.83                                                   |
| 16.       | Khagaria           | 2,62,675          | 1,950                                                   | 0.61                                                    | 2,62,675                                                | 100                                                     |
| 17.       | Kishanganj         | 2,79,161          | 8,333                                                   | 2.84                                                    | 2,70,981                                                | 97.07                                                   |
| 18.       | Lakhisarai         | 1,70,075          | 3,784                                                   | 2.36                                                    | 1,65,157                                                | 97.11                                                   |
| 19.       | Madhepura          | 3,81,245          | 4,037                                                   | 0.91                                                    | 3,81,245                                                | 100                                                     |
| 20.       | Madhubani          | 8,73,925          | 5,848                                                   | 0.59                                                    | 6,99,473                                                | 80.04                                                   |
| 21.       | Munger             | 1,80,345          | 6,729                                                   | 3.28                                                    | 1,72,603                                                | 95.71                                                   |
| 22.       | Muzaffarpur        | 7,70,017          | 2,585                                                   | 0.29                                                    | 7,36,719                                                | 95.68                                                   |
| 23.       | Nalanda            | 5,15,952          | 50,506                                                  | 12.53                                                   | 5,08,427                                                | 98.54                                                   |
| 24.       | Nawada             | 3,07,851          | 6,434                                                   | 1.83                                                    | 3,04,535                                                | 98.92                                                   |
| 25.       | Pashchim Champaran | 5,44,364          | 6,499                                                   | 0.94                                                    | 5,35,619                                                | 98.39                                                   |
| 26.       | Patna              | 6,62,233          | 4,721                                                   | 0.77                                                    | 6,39,764                                                | 96.61                                                   |
| 27.       | Purbi Champaran    | 9,04,131          | 3,321                                                   | 0.35                                                    | 8,34,706                                                | 92.32                                                   |
| 28.       | Purnia             | 5,29,037          | 13,321                                                  | 2.19                                                    | 5,11,430                                                | 96.67                                                   |
| 29.       | Rohtas             | 4,32,866          | 3,117                                                   | 0.83                                                    | 4,22,582                                                | 97.62                                                   |
| 30.       | Samastipur         | 8,17,325          | 2,101                                                   | 0.33                                                    | 8,04,420                                                | 98.42                                                   |
| 31.       | Saran              | 5,68,566          | 14,741                                                  | 2.42                                                    | 5,58,368                                                | 98.21                                                   |
| 32.       | Saharsa            | 3,31,874          | 1,366                                                   | 0.41                                                    | 2,55,123                                                | 76.87                                                   |
| 33.       | Sheikhpura         | 1,06,129          | 22                                                      | 0.03                                                    | 1,06,129                                                | 100                                                     |
| 34.       | Sheohar            | 1,45,443          | 6,080                                                   | 3.60                                                    | 1,37,161                                                | 94.31                                                   |
| 35.       | Sitamarhi          | 5,23,375          | 13,687                                                  | 1.61                                                    | 5,03,216                                                | 96.15                                                   |
| 36.       | Siwan              | 4,76,365          | 3,678                                                   | 0.69                                                    | 4,63,184                                                | 97.23                                                   |
| 37.       | Supaul             | 4,10,868          | 1,726                                                   | 0.37                                                    | 4,10,529                                                | 99.92                                                   |
| 38.       | Vaishali           | 6,28,623          | 749                                                     | 0.12                                                    | 6,28,111                                                | 99.92                                                   |
|           | Total              | 1,67,55,041       | 3,16,391                                                | 1.89                                                    | 1,60,35,717                                             | 95.71                                                   |