Centre Holds 7th Peyjal Samvad to Accelerate Rural Water and Sanitation Missions

New Delhi April 15 2026: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the 7th edition of the District Collectors’ Peyjal Samvad through video conference, bringing together officials from across the country to review progress under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 and Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase 2.

The meeting was chaired by Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary DDWS, who highlighted the importance of ensuring safe tap water for every rural household and strengthening sanitation systems. He said the initiative serves as a key platform for sharing best practices and improving implementation at the grassroots level.

Officials emphasized that funding under Jal Jeevan Mission will now be linked to performance and functionality of water supply systems. New initiatives such as Jal Arpan for asset handover and Jal Seva Aankalan for service assessment were highlighted to ensure quality, accountability and long term sustainability.

During the session, several districts showcased innovative approaches in water management and sanitation. These included community driven models, use of digital tools, real time monitoring systems and successful greywater management practices achieving near full coverage in some regions.

Districts such as Tehri Garhwal, Koderma, Anantnag, Raebareli and Vijayapura presented their progress, focusing on improved tap water coverage, source sustainability, grievance redressal systems and solid and liquid waste management.

Senior officials also stressed the need for stronger coordination between states and local bodies, urging district administrations to accelerate implementation, adopt reforms and ensure full compliance with mission objectives.

The government reiterated that sustained collaboration and innovative practices at the district level will be key to achieving universal water access and sanitation goals, while strengthening rural infrastructure across the country.