Lucknow: The Jal Jeevan Mission is supporting rural development in Uttar Pradesh by expanding access to safe drinking water while promoting water conservation, sanitation, environmental protection and community awareness. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the initiative is involving Gram Panchayats, self-help groups, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, schools and local communities in efforts to improve water quality and protect drinking water sources.
At the national-level ‘Mega Event’ held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on March 11, 2026, during Jal Mahotsav-2026, outstanding contributors from 14 Uttar Pradesh districts—Amroha, Ayodhya, Banda, Basti, Chitrakoot, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur Dehat, Lalitpur, Lucknow, Mahoba, Saharanpur, Shravasti and Sonbhadra—were recognised. Rachna Devi of Chitrakoot was honoured by the President of India, while Dev Swaroop Kunjbihari, chairman of the Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC), received recognition from the Union Jal Shakti Minister under the category ‘C-Exemplary Financial Sustainability through User Charge Collection’. The awards recognised efforts to strengthen community participation and the financial sustainability of rural drinking water schemes.
The mission has also linked drinking water and sanitation with nutrition and public health. During the eighth Poshan Pakhwada, held from April 9 to 23, activities included cleanliness drives at Anganwadi centres, safe drinking water arrangements, cleaning and testing of water sources, and awareness programmes on handwashing and personal hygiene. Village-level meetings and rallies highlighted the role of clean water in children’s healthy development.
On World Earth Day, April 22, awareness activities were organised through village assemblies, schools and morning rallies, focusing on water harvesting, conservation, protection of water sources and sustainable water management. Demonstrations on handwashing and safe water storage were also conducted. Tree plantation, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge were promoted at overhead tank premises and Anganwadi centres. Students participated through drawing competitions, slogan-writing activities and pledges to conserve water. Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, large-scale plantation drives were also undertaken from July 1 to 7 during the 2026-27 financial year.
The state also observed the Centre’s Stop Diarrhoea Campaign-2026 from June 1 to July 31 across all districts. Activities at Anganwadi centres, schools, health facilities and community spaces focused on water quality testing, water management, sanitation and personal hygiene to prevent waterborne diseases.
According to the state government, piped drinking water projects under the mission have ensured safe water supply to 11,63,340 schools and 1,55,136 Anganwadi centres. More than five lakh rural women have also been trained to test water quality, strengthening community-level monitoring and awareness.
The mission’s implementation has received national recognition. Uttar Pradesh secured second prize in the fifth National Water Awards. The Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department was also selected for the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, 2023, for its innovative use of solar energy in rural drinking water projects.
Through infrastructure expansion, local participation, water-quality monitoring and environmental initiatives, the Jal Jeevan Mission is seeking to make safe drinking water more sustainable while supporting healthier and cleaner rural communities across Uttar Pradesh.
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