AP's Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Targets Universal Tap Water Supply by 2028
Lanka Dinakar, Chairman of the Twenty Point Programme Implementation (Viksit Bharat – Swarna Andhra Pradesh), has declared that the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 will play a crucial role in delivering sustainable and safe drinking water to every rural household in Andhra Pradesh through tap connections by December 2028. Speaking to the media on Monday, Dinakar emphasized the mission's significance in enhancing public health and elevating living standards across the state's villages.
Massive Funding and National Expansion
Dinakar highlighted that the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the expansion of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 with an outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore. This ambitious initiative is designed to provide safe drinking water to all rural households nationwide, with a focus on strengthening infrastructure and ensuring reliable access to clean water.
In Andhra Pradesh, the state government, with support from the Centre, is actively working to extend tap water supply to nearly 96 lakh rural households. Dinakar noted that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has implemented corrective steps to address previous shortcomings in the mission's implementation between 2019 and 2024, aligning with the vision of building a healthy Swarna Andhra.
Corrective Measures and Accelerated Implementation
According to Dinakar, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has already initiated works in West Prakasam (Markapuram) and East Godavari districts, based on assessments of long-term water resource availability. Similar projects are expected to accelerate across the state under the framework of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, ensuring a coordinated and efficient rollout.
Dinakar alleged that during the previous YSRCP regime led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, unplanned governance and erratic decisions led to significant cost overruns. The project costs ballooned to ₹81,000 crore from an initial estimate of ₹26,000 crore, while progress remained sluggish between 2019 and 2024. Official data indicates that while national tap water coverage saw substantial growth under the mission, Andhra Pradesh experienced only marginal improvements during that period.
The previous government claimed over 70% completion of the project despite spending only ₹2,000 crore of the estimated ₹26,000 crore, raising concerns about transparency and efficiency.
Extended Timeline and Enhanced Focus
Following the assumption of office by the coalition government in 2024, corrective measures were promptly initiated, and the project timeline has been extended to December 2028. The mission will now concentrate on strengthening key components such as water sources, storage facilities, purification systems, and durable pipelines to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply.
Social Impact and Broader Benefits
Dinakar underscored the profound social impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission, citing studies that show a reduction in the burden on rural women who previously had to fetch water from distant locations. This change enables them to devote more time to education, health, and economic activities, thereby fostering empowerment and community development.
He added that the initiative will contribute to building healthier rural communities and strengthening livelihoods, ultimately supporting the broader vision of Viksit Bharat. By ensuring access to clean water, the mission aims to improve overall quality of life and drive sustainable progress in Andhra Pradesh's rural areas.
