Srinagar, Aug 07: In a momentous achievement, Srinagar District has claimed the top spot in the Jal Jeevan Survekshan (JJS-2023) among 114 Har Ghar Jal Certified Villages across India. The district’s exceptional performance in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) from October 01, 2022, to June 30, 2023, has earned it the highest rank.
Srinagar District secured an impressive score of 83.0, outperforming its peers in the JJS-2023 evaluation criteria and indicators. The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, who also chairs the JJM Board in the district, played a pivotal role in overseeing the activities that led to this remarkable achievement.
Among the key accomplishments during this period were comprehensive water quality tests conducted across various villages in Srinagar. These tests, which encompassed physical, bacteriological, and chemical parameters, are crucial in ensuring the availability of safe and clean drinking water to rural households.
The mission’s emphasis on consistent and thorough testing of water sources, including borewells, handpumps, springs, and surface water bodies, is aimed at determining their suitability for human consumption. All sources within the villages met the stringent quality standards set by regulatory authorities.
A significant initiative involved training five women in each village using Field Test Kits (FTKs) for conducting water quality tests. This empowerment of women with the tools and knowledge to assess basic water quality was instrumental in enhancing community involvement and monitoring.
Moreover, water quality testing for chemical and bacteriological parameters was executed in schools and Anganwadi centers across all Srinagar villages. This measure was taken to ensure that the drinking water provided to children in these institutions adheres to required quality standards, safeguarding them against waterborne diseases.
The commitment extended to testing at least three households in each Srinagar village for chemical and bacteriological parameters. Additionally, the geo-tagging of Public Water Supply (PWS) assets in all villages of Srinagar was promptly completed.
Achieving the status of 100% Functional Household Tap Water Connection (FHTC) coverage along with Har Ghar Jal Certification further underscored the district’s dedication. Every rural household in Srinagar now enjoys reliable and sustainable water supply, contributing to improved quality of life and better health practices.
Significant infrastructure developments were also undertaken, including the construction of the Poshpathri Water Supply Scheme and the retrofitting scheme for Upper Pora Balhama. Augmentation, improvement, and retrofitting of pipelines at Balhama A&B added to the overall water supply enhancements.
Furthermore, skilled individuals were identified for various villages to manage and maintain water supply schemes effectively.
Awareness and cultural programs were organized across different Srinagar villages, under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner. These initiatives aimed to educate and engage communities in water conservation, management, and the importance of clean drinking water.
Local participation was emphasized through the formation of Pani Samitis in different Panchayat Halkas. This approach ensured community involvement in decision-making processes related to water supply schemes, promoting sustainability and community ownership of water sources and infrastructure.
The Jal Jeevan Survekshan (JJS-2022) was introduced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, to evaluate and rank districts and states based on their performance in JJM implementation. Srinagar District’s exceptional achievements in Har Ghar Jal Certification, water quality testing, women’s training, skill development, and more, have made it a trailblazer in this competition.
Speaking about this outstanding feat, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aijaz Asad expressed his pride in the collective efforts of the team. He congratulated the JJM team for their contribution and urged them to continue their dedicated work to maintain the district’s top-ranking status in JJS.
