The Maharashtra government has approved a major allocation of Rs 22,898 crore from the state’s own funds to accelerate the completion of Jal Jeevan Mission projects across rural areas, amid delays attributed to funding constraints. The decision was cleared at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, according to officials.
The additional funding comes over and above the state’s regular matching share under the Centre-sponsored Jal Jeevan Mission. Officials said the total availability of funds under the programme will be around Rs 44,000 crore, including Rs 11,000 crore from the Centre and an equal state contribution, while the remaining Rs 22,898 crore will be borne entirely by the state to ensure project continuity.
The allocation has been distributed across multiple components of the rural water supply programme, including large-scale retrofitting works, revised water supply schemes, community contributions, water quality monitoring, and technology-driven initiatives such as Internet of Things (IoT)-based systems and electrochlorination units. Funds have also been set aside for legacy National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) schemes.
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A significant portion of the funds has been earmarked to expedite projects that are already near completion. Officials said schemes that are between 75 per cent and 99 per cent complete will receive Rs 5,934 crore to ensure timely finishing, while Rs 3,769 crore has been allocated for fully completed schemes that require finalisation. Additional allocations have also been approved for support components and water quality monitoring measures.
The government has also provided for community contributions through Finance Commission grants and other allocations, with Rs 543 crore for fully completed schemes and Rs 816 crore for those nearing completion. Authorities said the objective is to reduce procedural delays and ensure faster delivery of potable water to rural households under the “Har Ghar Jal” initiative.
The move gains importance against the backdrop of earlier admissions by the state government that funding shortages had slowed project execution. Officials noted that thousands of schemes under the mission remain ongoing, while contractors have raised pending bills at the district level due to delayed fund releases. The government said it has already been using state resources in recent months to sustain project momentum in the absence of timely Central funds.
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