ZIRO, Jun 3: In a significant milestone for rural water security, Lower Subansiri district has achieved 100 per cent Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), ensuring access to safe and reliable tap water for all rural households in the district.
The achievement was highlighted during a strategic meeting of the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) held at the district headquarters, Ziro, on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme. The meeting focused on strengthening rural water infrastructure, constituting specialized technical teams, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supply systems across the district.
Discussions centered on reviewing DWSM activities, establishing a District Technical Unit (DTU), and examining recommendations put forward by the Source Finding Committee (SFC).
Officials informed that the district’s 100 per cent FHTC achievement covers two Blocks, 109 Gram Panchayats, 200 villages, and 271 habitations, benefiting 5,740 rural households with regular access to potable tap water.
To sustain and strengthen the gains achieved under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the DWSM formally constituted a 10-member District Technical Unit (DTU) comprising engineers, lab assistants, consultants, and operators. The unit will provide technical support, monitoring, and day-to-day maintenance oversight to ensure the continued functionality and efficiency of rural water supply systems.
Recognizing the importance of source sustainability, the Source Finding Committee (SFC), chaired by the Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department, Ziro, outlined measures for identifying and protecting dependable water sources capable of meeting present and future demands. The committee emphasized the need for long-term planning to address seasonal variations and climate-related challenges.
The meeting also adopted a roadmap for extending water supply coverage to newly established habitations, strengthening Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), improving revenue collection mechanisms, and implementing the "Jal Seva Ankalan" framework to enhance service delivery and accountability.
As a core district-level government body operating under the guidance of DC Oli Perme, officials said, the DWSM remains deeply committed to transforming rural lives by successfully driving the goals of both the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) across the region.