Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday directed officials to accelerate the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and ensure the timely delivery of clean drinking water to every household in the state. Chairing a high-level review meeting of the drinking water and sanitation department at the state secretariat, Soren said access to drinking water is a critical issue affecting people’s lives and warned that any laxity in execution would be unacceptable. He instructed officials to closely monitor water-stressed areas, identify regions facing drinking water shortages and take immediate corrective measures. He also called for the prompt maintenance and repair of water supply systems to ensure uninterrupted service.
Reviewing the department’s performance for 2025–26 and its action plan for 2026–27, Soren emphasised the need for real-time monitoring of major projects. He directed officials to create WhatsApp groups with contractors to receive daily progress updates and strengthen oversight of ongoing works. The chief minister also ordered periodic plumbing training for Jal Sahiyas at Industrial Training Institutes and suggested assigning them responsibilities such as repairing handpumps and maintaining solar-powered water supply systems. He called for recognition and rewards for high-performing Jal Sahiyas.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable water management, Soren directed officials to prepare short- and long-term plans for rainwater harvesting, water conservation and groundwater recharge. He suggested converting boreholes of defunct handpumps into recharge pits and promoting the construction of soak pits to improve groundwater levels. Expressing concern over water quality, he said clean drinking water is the right of every citizen and stressed the need for concrete measures to ensure safe water supply alongside piped water connections. He also urged officials to launch awareness campaigns on plastic pollution and encourage the development of plastic-free villages through incentives and recognition.
Officials informed the meeting that efforts are being intensified under the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide piped drinking water to all rural households in Jharkhand by December 2028. The meeting was attended by Yogendra Prasad, drinking water and sanitation minister, Avinash Kumar, chief secretary, Ajay Kumar Singh, development commissioner, Abu Imran, department secretary, Shashi Ranjan, additional secretary, and other senior officials.
