Guwahati: Rural tap water coverage in Meghalaya has increased significantly under the Jal Jeevan Mission, rising from just 4,550 households (0.70 per cent) in 2019 to 5,47,077 households, covering 84.06 per cent of rural homes, Public Health Engineering Minister Marcuise N Marak said while launching the state-level Jal Utsav 2026 on Monday.
Marak said Jal Utsav is intended to inspire people to value, protect and conserve water resources for present and future generations, describing it as a people’s movement.
With the theme “Celebrating Water, Securing Sources,” the initiative is built around the principles of celebrating, understanding and protecting water resources. Through Rajya Jal Utsav and Lok Jal Utsav, it aims to showcase Meghalaya’s water heritage, promote conservation efforts and strengthen community participation in managing rural drinking water systems.
According to the minister, 3,616 villages across Meghalaya have achieved Har Ghar Jal status. He credited engineers, field officials, district administrations, Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and local communities for helping the state reach the milestone.
Referring to the extension of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 until December 2028, Marak said the next phase would place greater emphasis on dependable water services, sustainable water sources and stronger community involvement, rather than only expanding infrastructure.
He also outlined three major initiatives that will support the state’s long-term water security plans. These are Sujalam Bharat, a digital platform to monitor rural water supply systems, Jal Arpan Diwas to encourage community ownership of water infrastructure, and Jal Utsav to expand public participation in water conservation.
Calling it the start of a long-term journey towards water security, Marak urged every district, village, institution and citizen to actively support the campaign.
At the event, Public Health Engineering Department Commissioner and Secretary Pravin Bakshi unveiled the department’s annual calendar for Rajya Jal Utsav and Lok Jal Utsav, with activities scheduled from July 2026 until early 2027.
Planned activities throughout the year include water quality awareness programmes, demonstrations using Field Test Kits, laboratory visits, marathons, maintenance drives for water assets, competitions in schools and colleges, river clean-up campaigns, water budgeting exercises and Gram Sabha meetings on water governance.
According to Bakshi, the campaign’s impact will be judged by stronger community ownership, better protection of water sources and the long-term sustainability of rural drinking water systems.
A representative of the Village Water and Sanitation Committee from Diengiong village shared how piped water provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission has made everyday life easier by reducing the need to fetch water and ensuring a reliable supply of safe drinking water.