Maharashtra Faces Funding Crisis for Jal Jeevan Mission
Maharashtra’s ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which aims to provide safe tap water to every rural household, is confronting a significant funding setback. The state has not received any central grants since October 2024, prompting officials to draw from its budget to keep the project on track.
Jal Jeevan progress
Since its launch in 2019, Maharashtra has sanctioned over 51,500 rural water schemes, with more than 26,000 entities still under implementation. Household water supply coverage climbed from 33% to approximately 88%, marking substantial progress despite financial strains.
State bailout
To bridge the funding shortfall, Maharashtra has released approximately ₹2,483 crore from its own reserves and allocated another ₹3,913 crore for the fiscal year 2025–26. Water Minister Gulabrao Patil confirmed that these state funds are now being used to cover expenses for stalled pipelines and previously completed works.
Operational hurdles
Beyond the financial crunch, the project also grapples with land acquisition issues, delays from contractors, and inconsistent water availability. Combined, these challenges are slowing progress and delaying full tap connections in many rural areas.
Broader impact
The central government had pledged ₹1.85 lakh crore under the mission but has not disbursed the remaining ₹22,700 crore as of March 2025. Maharashtra now bears the brunt of financing, putting at risk the completion of thousands of pending schemes. The ripple effect is already visible in sectors like the plastic pipe industry, where demand has tumbled.
