ITANAGAR, June 2, 2026: Arunachal Pradesh has taken a significant step towards strengthening drinking water infrastructure and ensuring long-term water security with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 between the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the State Government.
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| Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu participates in the JJM 2.0 MoU signing programme aimed at strengthening drinking water services and long-term water security across the state. (Image: X/PemaKhanduBJP) |
Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined the live programme for the signing of the agreement along with Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Minister Natung Taki. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil and Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna.
Describing the agreement as a major milestone, Khandu said JJM 2.0 would play a crucial role in addressing water scarcity, improving service delivery systems and ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water across Arunachal Pradesh.
"The signing of JJM 2.0 is a major step towards strengthening and sustaining drinking water services across the State. It will help address water scarcity, improve service delivery systems and further the Prime Minister's vision of a Viksit Bharat with safe and reliable tap water for every home," the Chief Minister said.
While Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with abundant rivers, streams and rainfall, ensuring reliable drinking water supply remains a challenge in many areas due to difficult terrain, scattered settlements and infrastructure constraints. Several remote villages continue to face seasonal water shortages, while maintaining water supply systems across mountainous regions often requires substantial investment and technical support.
Officials believe JJM 2.0 will help address these challenges by focusing not only on infrastructure creation but also on the sustainability and long-term functionality of water supply systems. The programme is expected to strengthen operation and maintenance mechanisms, improve water quality monitoring and ensure that rural households continue to receive reliable water services even after infrastructure projects are completed.
The new phase of the Jal Jeevan Mission places greater emphasis on source sustainability, water conservation and community participation. Experts say these components are particularly important for Arunachal Pradesh, where changing weather patterns, population growth and increasing demand for water are placing additional pressure on local water resources.
State officials noted that the programme will support efforts to build resilient water supply systems capable of serving remote communities while reducing disruptions caused by geographical and climatic challenges. Improved monitoring, better management practices and enhanced institutional capacity are expected to contribute to more efficient service delivery across the state.
The initiative also aligns with the broader national objective of ensuring Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) for all rural households. Since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission, significant progress has been made in expanding tap water coverage across the country, and JJM 2.0 aims to consolidate those gains while focusing on sustainability and quality of service.
For Arunachal Pradesh, where many communities are located in difficult-to-access areas, the programme is expected to improve public health outcomes by providing reliable access to safe drinking water. Experts note that improved water availability can reduce the burden of water-borne diseases, enhance sanitation standards and improve the quality of life, particularly for women and children who often bear the responsibility of fetching water from distant sources.
The state government expressed confidence that continued collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti would accelerate efforts to strengthen water infrastructure and secure long-term water availability for future generations.
With the signing of the JJM 2.0 MoU, Arunachal Pradesh has reinforced its commitment to achieving universal access to safe drinking water while building resilient and sustainable water management systems. Officials believe the initiative will not only improve service delivery but also contribute to rural development, public health and the state's broader vision of inclusive and sustainable growth.
 2.0 to Tackle Water Scarcity, Improve Service Delivery in Arunachal){kind=link}