Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma jointly reviewed the progress of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan 2.0 at Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The review meeting highlighted the state's ambitious water conservation and supply mission, showcasing achievements and outlining the roadmap ahead.
Key announcements at the review included water infrastructure projects worth ₹13,000 crore for Rajasthan, aimed at expanding access to piped drinking water across rural and semi-urban areas. The state has created 1.3 million new Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) connections in the past 18 months, significantly accelerating coverage in previously underserved regions. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) named Ram Jalsetu was also highlighted, covering 17 districts of eastern Rajasthan to ensure sustainable water availability.
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan 2.0 is a community-driven water conservation initiative that builds on the success of the first phase. The campaign emphasises people's participation (jan bhagidari) in water harvesting structures such as johads, talabs, and check dams — traditional Rajasthani water conservation methods. Eastern Rajasthan, being the more agriculturally active and densely populated region, faces acute groundwater depletion, making the Ram Jalsetu MoU particularly significant. The 17-district coverage aims to address the Chambal Command Area and the Bharatpur-Dholpur belt. The initiative connects to the national Jal Jeevan Mission's goal of Har Ghar Jal (piped water to every household) by 2024, and Rajasthan is considered a model state for community water governance.