Launched in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aimed to provide safe drinking water connections to every household in rural India by 2024. However, four and a half years later, its impact remains questionable.
In Mathura, a BJP stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, the situation is particularly grim. Locals in Iroli Gujar village lament the lack of progress, despite wall paintings claiming otherwise. Farmer Kamal Singh expresses skepticism, questioning whether the government will receive support after a decade of unfulfilled promises.
Villagers describe the daily struggle to fetch water, with women spending hours each day collecting it. They have not received any assistance from the JJM, relying instead on external sources to meet their water needs. A non-functional RO tank, installed by the authorities, serves as a bitter reminder of broken promises.
Similarly, residents of PM-AWAS houses in Mathura lack water supply, highlighting the disparity between housing and water access. Despite the construction of a water plant in Jarara village, locals remain unconvinced of its impact on their lives.
As of March 2023, about 72-74% of rural households have received tap connections. Still, in Uttar Pradesh, only 2 crores out of 19.3 crores have access to drinking water, leaving many without this basic necessity.
According to the state’s Executive Engineer, the project is expected to be completed in Mathura by January 2025, with a focus on improving water quality. However, at the construction site, engineers admit that the completion date is likely to be extended.
The reality on the ground contradicts the claims of JJM’s completion, as water scarcity remains a pressing issue in both rural and urban areas of Mathura. Despite the promises and propaganda, the government’s flagship scheme has yet to deliver on its promise of providing clean and safe water to all.
