Water and sanitation woes
Liquid Waste Management, Community Biogas Plants remains slow, less Community Sanitary Complex constructed
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has made significant strides under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) SBM (G), improving tap water connectivity and sanitation coverage. However, ₹185.65 crore in unspent funds raise serious concerns about execution delays, fund absorption, and the long-term sustainability of these initiatives.
This has to come fore in a standing committee on water resources which was tabled in Rajya Sabha earlier this month.
As per the report, J&K has struggled to fully utilize allocated funds under JJM and SBM(G), with unspent balances accumulating over the years. As of February 12, 2025, the total unspent balance stands at ₹185.65 crore, with ₹130.65 crore under JJM and ₹55.00 crore under SBM (G).
Despite these unspent funds, J&K has achieved 95.72% tap water coverage in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), with 22,901 out of 23,926 AWCs now having access to safe drinking water. However, gaps remain in rural household water supply, with 3.68 lakh homes still lacking tap water connections.
Under JJM, 6,216 schools have received tap water connections, improving hygiene and sanitation for students. Additionally, 5,511 Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) have been formed, and 5,169 villages have prepared Village Action Plans (VAPs) to oversee the long-term sustainability of water supply systems.
To monitor drinking water safety, J&K has 98 water quality testing laboratories, but only 42 have received NABL accreditation, highlighting the need for further improvements.
On the sanitation front, 5,913 out of 6,216 villages have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus, indicating strong progress in sanitation under SBM(G). However, progress in Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) and Solid & Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) projects remains sluggish, affecting the overall sanitation landscape.
The creation of Liquid Waste Management (LWM) facilities has been slow in J&K, placing the Union Territory among the lowest-performing states alongside Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Additionally, the number of functional Community Biogas Plants remains low, highlighting the need for better waste-to-energy initiatives.
Between October 2022 and December 2024, J&K has seen slow progress in retrofitting single-pit toilets under SBM(G).
The number of functional Community Biogas Plants in J&K remains low, reflecting the need for better waste-to-energy initiatives. Similarly, progress in Liquid Waste Management (LWM) remains sluggish, with J&K among the slow-performing states along with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Jammu and Kashmir has successfully provided tap water connections to 96.06% of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), with 22,901 out of 23,926 AWCs now having access to safe drinking water. In schools, 6,216 institutions have been covered under the mission, ensuring a better learning environment.
J&K has a very low number of operational Community Biogas Plants, which reflects slow adoption of waste-to-energy initiatives. The report highlights that between October 2022 and December 2024, J&K has lagged in retrofitting single-pit toilets under SBM(G).
J&K is among the lowest-performing states in setting up Liquid Waste Management (LWM) facilities. The construction of Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) remains sluggish, and J&K has fallen behind other states in achieving its targets.
