The Center urges states to speed up tap water connections as 4 crore rural households still have no access

Official statistics show that 79% (15,37,22,950) rural households have been provided with piped water connections so far. | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

The Center is actively engaging with states that are yet to achieve 100% tap water connection coverage for rural households, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said on Thursday (December 19, 2024).

Addressing a press conference here, the minister acknowledged that the 2024 deadline to ensure access to tap water in rural India has passed.

“Four crore households are still without water connection. The ministry is in discussion with the concerned states and has asked them to speed up the process,” he said.

Official statistics show that 79% (15,37,22,950) rural households have been provided with piped water connections so far. More than 19 crore rural households have been identified for coverage.

Among the states, West Bengal has the lowest coverage at 53.9%, followed by Kerala at 54.13%, Jharkhand at 54.62% and Rajasthan at 54.95%, according to the data.

Eleven states and union territories have achieved 100% coverage of tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission.