Rural Drinking Water in India: Policy, Programs and Achievements

Since India gained independence, various policies and programs have been implemented to provide access to clean rural drinking water and ensure good health for all citizens. However, in rural areas, the provision of safe and adequate drinking water remains a significant challenge. Many rural communities still do not have access to water of suitable quality, leading to a multitude of health issues during different seasons. This article seeks to examine the performance of programmes and the evolution of policies in this context using the available literature that was implemented after independence. It also looks at whether the policymakers considered the lessons learned from the past while designing the program or policy. According to the analysis, policies and programmes have gradually moved towards the goals of sustainable drinking water management in rural areas. The primary issue is the main problems of implementing the program, but in recent years, the government of India introduced the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in 2019, with the goal of providing every family with "Har Ghar Jal," or access to safe drinking water from tap connections. The Indian government has focused more on this program; despite the significant efforts of the JJM, over 14.79 crore (76.61%) of rural households presently have access to a potable water supply. The study suggests that by 2030, all Indian states and the federal government should make a collective effort to ensure that every Indian family has access to 100% safe and affordable drinking water in their homes.Keywords: Rural drinking water, Sustainable, Jal Jeevan mission, Rural household, Water policies