Kumar Bahukhandi
Historic Step to Strengthen Rural Water Systems, Says Chief Minister Sai
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today on Friday March 20, 2026 joined, via video conferencing, the MoU signing ceremony between the Centre and the State under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 at the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
In the virtual presence of Chief Minister Sai and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, officials formally signed and exchanged the MoU.
Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the initiative as a historic step towards strengthening the rural drinking water system in the state. Emphasising the goal of “Har Ghar Jal,” he noted that the MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 would accelerate ongoing efforts.
He informed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet had approved the extended phase of the mission—Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0—on March 10, 2026. This phase will not only reinforce water service delivery systems but also ensure active community participation, the CM added.
Chief Minister Sai further stated that more than 41 lakh 30 thousand rural households in the state, approximately 82.66 percent, have already been provided with tap water connections. He highlighted that access to safe drinking water in remote, forested and tribal regions has brought significant relief to women, who earlier had to travel long distances to fetch water, he noted.
He added that under Mission 2.0, special emphasis will be laid on enhancing community participation in village-level water management and on conserving water sources. The State Government remains committed to strengthening water conservation, recharge mechanisms, and the operation and maintenance of schemes, he affirmed. Through this MoU, a transparent and technology-driven water service system will be developed, ensuring more efficient and robust water distribution in rural areas. CM Sai remarked. .
Chief Minister Sai also urged the Union Minister to approve a special allocation of Rs 1300 crore to further improve drinking water facilities in Naxal-affected regions. This support, he said, would facilitate the supply of drinking water to over 3,000 villages through 70 group water supply schemes. Concluding his address, CM Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed confidence that, with collective efforts, Chhattisgarh will not only achieve the “Har Ghar Jal” target but also set new benchmarks in sustainable water management and rural water governance, he affirmed.
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil remarked that the day marks a significant milestone, and with the signing of this MoU, access to water through pipelines and infrastructure will be ensured for every household in Chhattisgarh. He noted that Gram Panchayats will be empowered with greater authority under the initiative and will be responsible for maintaining these systems. Oversight will be provided through district administrations, which will also extend necessary support when required. He added that the MoU is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Government of Chhattisgarh, and will help realise the vision of providing clean and uninterrupted water to every household as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, C R Patil added.
Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering Ministeri Arun Sao, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of the Water Resources Department Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, along with other officials, were present on the occasion.
