Srinagar district has etched a triumphant mark by claiming the coveted title of the highest-performing district in the Jal Jeevan Survekshan (JJS-2023), overshadowing 114 Har Ghar Jal certified villages across the expanse of India. This resounding recognition not only underscores the unwavering commitment of Srinagar but also signifies its resolute stride in realizing the core ideals of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a visionary endeavor that seeks to usher in a future where clean and potable water is a universal birthright.
This accolade firmly roots itself in Srinagar District’s exceptional prowess demonstrated throughout the Jal Jeevan Survekshan, conducted from October 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) of the Government of India, this assessment framework meticulously evaluates districts and states, rendering monthly national rankings based on the implementation of JJM.
In the backdrop of this rigorous competition, Srinagar District has risen as the vanguard not only in the Jal Jeevan Survekshan standings but also in crucial facets of implementation. Its achievements are a constellation of Har Ghar Jal certifications, precision water quality analyses facilitated through laboratories and Field Test Kits (FTKs), specialized empowerment programs for women to harness FTKs effectively, and comprehensive skill enhancement initiatives for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) personnel.
At the crux of Srinagar’s triumphant saga lies the establishment of Pani Samitis across diverse Panchayat Halkas (local administrative segments), championing community involvement and inclusive decision-making within the realm of Water Supply Schemes. This democratic ethos fosters community ownership, breathing life into the ideals of sustainability and resilience across the district’s water sources and infrastructure.
Srinagar’s steadfast dedication to the community is further exemplified by its unwavering commitment to regular and comprehensive water testing. With diligent scrutiny spanning borewells, handpumps, springs, and surface water bodies, the district leaves no stone unturned in assessing the fitness of water sources for human consumption. Remarkably, each source within the villages successfully met the stringent quality benchmarks set by regulatory authorities.
The Jal Jeevan Mission, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, stands as a monumental testament to India’s resolve to ensure equitable water access for every rural household. Anchored in an ambitious aspiration to provide consistent and ample quantities of clean, safe, and pressurized drinking water, the mission echoes the government’s steadfast dedication to elevating the lives of millions.
Functioning with a deadline of 2024, the Jal Jeevan Mission is on a mission to transform the landscape of rural India by ensuring each household is equipped with individual tap connections, thereby granting secure and adequate drinking water. Moreover, the initiative mandates the assimilation of source sustainability strategies, encompassing practices like greywater management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting. Woven within its fabric is a profound community-centric ethos, with Information, Education, and Communication initiatives forming integral threads in the mission’s intricate tapestry.
Chairing the JJM Board within Srinagar is Mohammad Aijaz Asad, steering the district toward this illustrious accomplishment.