First Regional Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 concludes

Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, today visited rural drinking water supply infrastructure and participated in the Jal Arpan Diwas celebration at Palamaneri Village in Tamil Nadu, as part of the second day of the Regional Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 held at Tiruchirappalli.

The visit began at the historic Grand Anicut (Kallanai) on the Cauvery River, followed by field visit of the riverbed collector wells and headworks at Vadugakudi. At Palamaneri Village, the Secretary joined the community in celebrating, Jal Arpan Diwas, the formal handover of drinking water infrastructure to the Gram Panchayat, participated in a plantation activity and interacted with VWSC members, who shared how household tap connections had improved their daily lives. Women from the Sujalam Shakti Group also demonstrated water quality testing using Field Test Kits.

The Secretary emphasised that Gram Panchayats require continued technical support, handholding and capacity building to effectively manage drinking water services.

Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), emphasised the importance of translating JJM 2.0 reforms into effective field-level implementation and strengthening coordination among concerned departments.

D. Senthil Pandian, Joint Secretary, DDWS, while summarising the two-day Conference deliberations, highlighted the systematic follow-up undertaken after the Departmental Summit held in September 2026. He informed that specific action points, responsible stakeholders and timelines had been identified, followed by inter-ministerial consultations with the Ministries of Panchayati Raj, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Tribal Affairs and Rural Development to strengthen convergence in financing, skilling, tribal drinking water coverage and source sustainability.

Hari Narayanan M., Director, NJJM, while proposing the Vote of Thanks, expressed gratitude to Secretary DDWS, Additional Secretary & Mission Director and Joint Secretary, NJJM, for their leadership and guidance.(UPDATED ON 14TH NOVEMBER 2026)