(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) ENHANCING SWACHH BHARAT AND JAL JEEVAN MISSION

(MARCH-2025)

ENHANCING SWACHH BHARAT AND JAL JEEVAN MISSION

Introduction

India is confronted with urgent challenges in sanitation, waste management, and water security owing to rapid urban development, population surges, and environmental pressures. The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have been fundamental in tackling these concerns. Nevertheless, deficits in infrastructure, service delivery, and funding remain. The Union Budget 2025-26 extends JJM through 2028 while preserving financial assistance for SBM 2.0. This piece assesses the missions' advancements, obstacles, and enhancement strategies.

Historical Context and Development of Sanitation & Water Management in India

(i) Sanitation and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

Pre-SBM Context: Prior to 2014, approximately 600 million Indians engaged in open defecation, resulting in elevated child mortality rates and the spread of waterborne illnesses.

SBM Phase 1 (2014-2019):

Over 100 million toilets were constructed.
600,000 villages and 4,234 cities declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).

SBM 2.0 (2021-Present):

Focus on waste management, faecal sludge treatment, and plastic waste reduction.
Emphasizes sustainable ODF+ with appropriate waste disposal systems.

(ii) Water Security and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

Pre-JJM Context: In 2019, merely 3.23 crore (16.8%) rural households had access to tap water.
JJM’s Advancements:

By 2024, 15 crore households (80% of rural India) gained tap water access.
Focus on Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), groundwater replenishment, and water sustainability.
Extension Till 2028: The government aspires for 100% tap water access in rural locales.
Synergies Between Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan Mission

(i) Integrated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Strategy

Local councils and Gram Panchayats collaborate on sanitation and water initiatives.
Cohesive action plans ensure sustainable water supply and sanitation amenities.

(ii) Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

SBM 2.0 prioritizes wastewater treatment, bolstering JJM’s objective of lessening freshwater reliance.
Greywater recycling and circular water economy in urban settings alleviate water strain. (iii) Capacity Building and Institutional Fortification
Educating local entities and Gram Panchayats for effective infrastructure upkeep.
Jan Bhagidari (community involvement) model enhances water and sanitation governance.

Challenges and Gaps in Implementation

(i) Infrastructure and Service Delivery Deficiencies

20% of rural households still lack operational tap water connections.
54% of the urban demographic misses access to safe sanitation.
38% of urban regions are devoid of sewage infrastructure, causing water contamination.

(ii) Waste Collection and Management Struggles

Merely 45% of urban waste is systematically processed (CPCB 2024).
Over 2,400 legacy dumpsites remain unresolved, adding to groundwater contamination.
Absence of formal waste segregation systems amplifies environmental pollution.

(iii) Public Health & Environmental Consequences

70% of India’s surface water is tainted due to untreated sewage.
Inadequate sanitation triggers diarrhea, cholera, and respiratory issues due to waste incineration.
30% of rural households still lack adequate toilet facilities (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, 2024).

Conclusion

The Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission have made great strides in sanitation and water security. However, financial limitations, service delivery challenges, and ineffective waste management persist as obstacles. The Budget for 2025-26 reaffirms the government’s commitment, yet requires increased funding, enhanced PPP involvement, and technological integration for sustainable success. Advancing SBM & JJM through integrated planning and governance reforms will be crucial in realizing a cleaner, healthier, and water-secure India.