Tripura Enters Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: CM Saha Signs Landmark MoU

Reform-linked MoU on Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

Agartala April 29: In a landmark move for water security, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha signed a reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 on April 29, 2026. This pact with the Centre extends the mission’s deadline to December 2028, targeting 100% rural tap connectivity.

The programme witnessed virtual participation of Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil, Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna, Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, along with senior officials from the concerned departments of both the Centre and the State.

At the outset, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and a key official associated with Jal Shakti Mission, Ashok K. Meena, elaborated on the objectives and significance of the programme. He explained the goals and operational framework of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, highlighting the importance of coordination with the States for its effective implementation.

Quick Glance: Key Highlights

New Deadline: The mission is officially extended until December 2028 to ensure “Har Ghar Jal.”
Current Progress: 86.34% of Tripura’s rural households (6.48 lakh+ families) now have tap connections.
Infrastructure Milestone: 131 villages and 4,711 habitations have achieved 100% FHTC status.
Institutional Reach: Piped water is now secured in 4,319 schools and 8,585 Anganwadi centers across the state.

Tripura’s Water Revolution: From 3% to 86% Coverage

Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, participating virtually from the Agartala War Room, highlighted the state’s dramatic transformation. Before the Jal Jeevan Mission’s inception, tap water coverage in Tripura was a mere 3%. Today, the state has surpassed the national average, providing safe drinking water to over 6.48 lakh rural families.

The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signifies a shift from mere infrastructure creation to a service-delivery model. Under JJM 2.0, the focus pivots toward long-term sustainability, water quality monitoring, and community-led management of water utilities.

Central Commendation and the Path to 2028

Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil lauded the Tripura government’s “positive and crucial role,” particularly in reaching remote and marginal habitations. During the virtual program, which also saw the presence of Minister of State V. Somanna, the Union Minister emphasized that the remaining 13.66% of households must be covered with the same urgency.

He stated that the present State Government has played a crucial and positive role in ensuring the supply of water to households through pipelines, particularly in remote and marginal areas. A substantial portion of the work has already been completed, which, he noted, is truly commendable.

To maintain this momentum, the state is implementing the Sujalam Bharat digital framework. This system assigns a unique ID to each village to track water supply from source to tap in real-time.

The Union Minister emphasized the need to complete the remaining work at the earliest and provided necessary guidance to officials to further accelerate the pace of implementation. He also pointed out that the successful execution of Jal Jeevan Mission is a vital pillar for the country’s overall development.

Comprehensive Data: Tripura JJM Progress Report (April 2026)

Category	Achievement Status
Total Rural Families Covered	6.48 Lakh+
Percentage of FHTC Coverage	86.34%
100% FHTC Villages	131
100% FHTC Habitations	4,711
School Tap Connections	4,319
Anganwadi Center Connections	8,585

Strengthening Public Health through Sustainable Governance

The Chief Minister noted that the success of initiatives like Sujalam Bharat Abhiyan and Jal Arpan Diwas has laid the groundwork for JJM 2.0. Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, while thanking the Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that the extension of Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 till December 2028 will further energize developmental initiatives in the State. He described the MoU signing as a significant example of cooperation between the Centre and the State.

Expressing optimism, the Chief Minister said that this initiative will not only further strengthen Tripura’s water supply system but also open new avenues for improving public health and overall quality of life in the State.

Tripura CM Manik Saha and Union Minister C.R. Patil during virtual MoU signing for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

“This initiative will not only strengthen the water supply system but also open new avenues for improving public health and the overall quality of life in Tripura,” Dr. Saha stated, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the mission’s extension.