Raipur, March 13 (NationPress) The Jal Jeevan Mission, initiated with the goal of ensuring clean drinking water is recognized as a fundamental right for every household, has achieved remarkable success throughout the country, notably in the tribal and remote areas of Chhattisgarh.

In the Mahasamund district, this initiative is providing clean water to families, schools, and Anganwadis in rural locales through dedicated household tap connections.

Residents, who once faced challenges in accessing drinking water, are now celebrating the arrival of clean water directly into their homes. The consistent water supply—available both in the morning and evening—is significantly easing the burden on the community, and locals are praising the government for this transformative program.

The Pali Gram Panchayat, located about 32 kilometers from the Mahasamund district headquarters, stands as a testament to this achievement. With a population of around 1,800, the majority of residents belong to backward classes, primarily engaged in agriculture. The village comprises approximately 341 families.

Just a few years ago, these residents endured significant hardships to procure drinking water. Villagers had to travel distances of 500 meters to 1 kilometer to collect water from wells, ponds, or other sources. Women were especially burdened, making multiple trips each morning and evening, which consumed a considerable amount of their time and energy.

Thanks to the Jal Jeevan Mission, a water tank was constructed at an investment of around Rs 69 lakh, and tap connections were established in the homes of all 341 families. Now, villagers enjoy access to pure drinking water right at their doorsteps.

The community receives a daily water supply for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.

Durgeshwari Dhruv, a local resident, shared that previously there were no arrangements for water supply, forcing her to leave her home to fetch water; however, with the installation of tap connections, clean water is now readily available.

Another resident, Jharna Masihi, expressed that having clean water at home helps prevent various waterborne diseases. She recounted her past struggles to collect water, contrasting it with the convenience of having it now available inside her residence.

Nilesh Sahu remarked that the scheme has greatly simplified life for the villagers, enhancing their overall convenience.

Bhuneshwar Lodhi, the Sarpanch (village head) of Gram Panchayat Pali, noted that women previously faced immense challenges in fetching water. The introduction of household tap connections has not only provided them relief but also improved their safety.

Discussing the impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Mahasamund Collector Vinay Kumar Langeh emphasized that the primary aim of the initiative is to ensure that villagers have access to safe and clean drinking water right in their homes.

Importantly, the Jal Jeevan Mission was introduced in the district in 2019. To date, a total of 1,117 villages have benefited, with a goal set to provide tap connections to approximately 240,000 households.

Nearly 200,000 families across the district have already had tap connections installed in their homes.