Port Blair, Apr 05: Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide tap water connection to rural households, has been successfully implemented in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Directorate of RD, PRIs & ULBs through its sustainable efforts has made it feasible to provide individual tap water connections in the remote rural areas of the North & Middle Andaman. The mission has helped hundreds of families to get tap water connections at their houses, amongst Smti. Manti Kumari is a resident under Gram Panchayat Pokadera, Mayabunder.

Smti. Manti Kumari, who lives at Baludera with her family of 6 members, says that before installation of the tap water connection under Jal Jeevan Mission, she had to muddle-through nearby wells for the water supplies at her house all the time. She reiterates that during the summer season when there was an acute water shortage at her house, she had to walk two kilometres to a nearby temple to collect few litres of water for her family need. She further adds that when there was no option left, she along with her husband carried water in “Sanghas” to get sufficient water supply for her daily household chores.

Despite the physical strains of lifting heavy pots of water accompanied by her husband, Smti. Manti says that she could hardly manage few litres of water for her needs. However, with the tap water connection at her house, her struggle has now come to an end.

The Secretary (RD) reiterated that the Jal Jeevan Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections. The programme also aims to implement source sustainability measures to instill a sense of ownership amongst the villagers on availability of drinking water in their village.