Lok Sabha Question No. 397 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Integration of Real-Time IoT-based Sensors with NJJM Dashboard
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Alok Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *397 ANSWERED ON 19/03/2026

## INTEGRATION OF REAL-TIME IOT-BASED SENSORS WITH NJJM DASHBOARD

## †*397. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the progress made in integrating real-time IoT-based sensors with the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) dashboard to monitor the 'quantity, quality and regularity' of water supply at the last mile level, particularly in districts under Bharatpur Lok Sabha Constituency, Jalore and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan and in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency of Odisha;

(b)  whether  a  uniform  national  protocol  has  been  established  for  validation,  calibration  and maintenance of such sensors to ensure data reliability across the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has developed/proposes to develop any standardized 'Water Quality Index' to rank States based on the quality of water provided to settlements/habitations to enable comparative assessment of potable water safety and if so, the details thereof, State-wise, particularly in Bharatpur Lok Sabha Constituency, Jalore and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan and Dumka district of Jharkhand;

(d)  whether  such  data  is  being  publicly  disclosed  to  promote  transparency  and  community participation and if so, the details thereof;

(e) the steps taken by the Government to safeguard this critical digital infrastructure from potential cyber security risks in the country, particularly in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency in Odisha; and

(f) the measures being taken by the Government to address the issue of groundwater crisis and to ensure supply of drinking water in Darbhanga district in Bihar?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI (SHRI C R PATIL)

(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement  referred  to  in  reply  of  Lok  Sabha  Starred  Question  No.  *397  answered  on 19/03/2026.

(a) and (b) Since August 2019, Government of India, in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household. Water is a state subject and therefore, the primary responsibility for planning and implementing piped water supply schemes to provide tap water to their households, lies with the respective State/UT. Government  of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  States  by  providing  technical  and  financial assistance under JJM.

This Department has developed Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) digital portal and mobile app for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to strengthen transparency, data accuracy, and real-time review. Under JJM, the IMIS and online dashboards are functional at Panchayat, District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM), State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) and National levels in all States/UTs including Rajasthan (Jalore and Sirohi District) and Odisha (Nabarangpur Lok Sabha Constituency).

To ensure the authenticity of data on the IMIS portal, the Department has implemented a multilayered verification mechanism. This includes mandatory Aadhaar seeding of beneficiaries, Geotagging of assets through Sujalam Bharat App, Uploading of pipelines on PM-GatiShakti Portal. Furthermore, the Department undertakes rigorous ground truthing exercises which involves:

(i) Functionality Assessment : Annual independent sample surveys to verify the quantity, quality, and regularity of water supply.

(ii)  National  Level  Monitors  (NLMs):  Regular  field  visits  by  National  Wash  Experts,  Central Nodal Officers, NJJM and NPMU members. NLMs  cross-verify reported progress against ground realities.

(iii) Further, to ensure effective performance of IoT devices installed across villages in the country, the department has prepared the 'roadmap for the measurement & monitoring or water service delivery system in rural areas' and shared with all States.

(c) and (d) Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water, an online JJM - Water Quality Management Information System (JJM-WQMIS) portal has been developed. Presently,  water  quality  monitoring  under  NJJM  is  carried  out  based  on  prescribed    BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. The State-wise, including Rajasthan and Jharkhand, details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are made available in public domain on JJM Dashboard.  Development of Water Quality Index (WQI) based on naturally available water is not presently under consideration by this Department.

(e)  The  Government has taken several measures to safeguard the digital infrastructure of NJJM, including adherence to national cyber security guidelines issued by MeitY time to time, secure data hosting, regular security audits, role-based access controls and data encryption. States/UTs are also advised  to  follow  standard  cyber  security  protocols  to  protect  IoT  devices  and  associated  data systems, including in areas such as Nabarangpur constituency.

(f) The Government has taken a special initiative 'Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB)' under Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): Catch the rain (CTR) campaign has been launched on September 6, 2024, which aims  to  promote  collaborative  community-driven  water  conservation  efforts  and  focuses  on enhancing water management through low-cost, scientifically designed artificial recharge structures, ensuring active participation from local communities, industries, and other stakeholders.

According to the 2025 Annual Ground Water Resource Assessment, the groundwater situation in Bihar's Darbhanga district remains stable. Conducted jointly by the CGWB and the State Government, the report estimates the district's Total Annual Recharge at  78,109.77  HAM and Extractable Resources at 70,422.18 HAM.

With  an  annual  extraction  of  41,020.09  HAM,  the Stage  of  Ground  Water  Extraction stands at 58.25%. Consequently, all 18 blocks in the district are categorized as ' Safe ' (SoE ≤ 70%). This annual  monitoring ensures updated  data on availability and  trends, supporting sustainable management and long-term water security for the region.

While water management is primarily a State subject, the Government of India provides technical and financial support for groundwater sustainability in Darbhanga through the following measures:

- (a) The CGWB conducts annual groundwater resource assessments and regular monitoring of water levels and quality to identify stressed areas.
- (b) Detailed maps and management plans covering ~2,504 sq. km of Darbhanga have been shared with the State to guide scientific interventions.
- (c) Plans  for  the  district  advocate  for  tapping arsenic-safe  deep  aquifers,  installing Arsenic Removal Plants, and promoting urban rainwater harvesting.
- (d) A 2020 plan proposes 1,948 recharge structures in Darbhanga for implementation by State departments.
- (e) Mandatory NOCs and rainwater harvesting plans are required for groundwater extraction by industries and infrastructure projects.
- (f) Bihar has adopted the Centre's Model Bill for groundwater legislation and updated Building Bye-laws to mandate rainwater harvesting for plots over 100 sq. m.
- (g) The National Water Policy (2012) promotes community-led conservation and the restoration of traditional water bodies.

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