Srinagar, April 30, 2025 – Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission J&K, Khurshid Ahmad Shah, chaired a review meeting yesterday to assess the progress of JJM implementation in Kupwara district, emphasising the urgent need to accelerate water supply projects. The meeting, held in Srinagar, revealed significant strides in providing Functional Household Tap Connections to rural households, with 1,29,755 of the district’s 1,56,179 rural households across 355 villages now connected to clean water supply.
A detailed PowerPoint presentation outlined the ongoing execution of various JJM components in Kupwara, a district in north Kashmir facing logistical challenges due to its terrain and recent security concerns. Shah commended the progress but directed officials to expedite work on water supply schemes to ensure the remaining 26,424 households receive FHTCs at the earliest. “Timely completion is critical to achieving our goal of universal water access,” Shah emphasized, urging officers to address bottlenecks and enhance coordination.
The JJM, a flagship initiative of the central government, aims to provide piped drinking water to every rural household by 2028, with Jammu and Kashmir making notable progress despite ecological and security challenges. Kupwara’s achievement of over 83% FHTC coverage reflects the region’s commitment to improving rural living standards. However, concerns about alleged irregularities in JJM implementation, including a reported ₹650 crore scam in Kupwara, have prompted the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to form a House Committee to investigate, adding pressure to ensure transparency.
Social media posts on X highlighted the meeting, with accounts like JJM JK and KNS Kashmir noting the district’s progress and Shah’s call for faster execution. The focus on Kupwara comes amid broader regional challenges, including a recent heatwave and security incidents, yet the JJM remains a beacon of development. As efforts intensify to connect the remaining households, Kupwara’s journey toward universal water access underscores both progress and the need for sustained momentum.