DDWS and BISAG-N Join Hands to Develop GIS-Driven Platform for Jal Jeevan Mission

In a major leap toward strengthening digital governance in the rural water and sanitation sectors, the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The agreement was formalized at CGO Complex, New Delhi, marking a pivotal step in developing a GIS-integrated Decision Support System (DSS) for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM(G)].

The MoA was signed in the presence of Shri Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS, who chaired the ceremony. Smt. Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (JJM), and Shri Vinay Thakur, Special Director General, BISAG-N, exchanged the signed agreement in the presence of Shri Kamal Kishore Soan, AS & MD-NJJM, and senior officials from both organizations.

Strengthening Rural Water and Sanitation Through Geospatial Innovation

This strategic collaboration aims to design and deploy a state-of-the-art, GIS-integrated digital platform that will significantly enhance data-driven decision-making, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of key national programmes—Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen). The platform will act as a unified geospatial database and analytical engine, enabling real-time visualization, progress tracking, and performance evaluation of rural water and sanitation infrastructure.

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Ashok K. K. Meena underscored the importance of integrating geospatial technologies into public service delivery systems.

“The integration of GIS with our mission portals will bring transformative efficiency to how we plan, implement, and monitor projects. It will enhance transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making—essential components of good governance,” he said.

Advanced GIS Capabilities for Real-Time Monitoring

Under this partnership, BISAG-N will provide end-to-end geospatial and technological support, including:

• Database Design and Architecture Development – Structuring a dynamic data model for JJM and SBM(G).

• Map Creation and Data Migration – Building comprehensive spatial databases and integrating existing datasets.

• Software Development and System Integration – Ensuring interoperability between mission portals and GIS tools.

• Ground Control Surveying and Photogrammetry – Facilitating precise mapping and data validation.

• Vector Data Capture and Thematic Mapping – Enabling visualization of water and sanitation assets at granular levels.

The new platform will facilitate scheme-level mapping of Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes (RPWSS), generating unique scheme IDs and enabling household-level monitoring of water supply. This will allow officials to track functionality, identify service gaps, and plan maintenance or expansion activities in real time.

Integration with PM GatiShakti and Digital India Vision

A key feature of this collaboration is its alignment with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, ensuring that water and sanitation assets are seamlessly integrated with other rural infrastructure layers such as roads, energy grids, and communication networks. This will enable resource optimization, improved service delivery, and accelerated infrastructure planning in rural areas.

The initiative is also deeply embedded in the Digital India framework, focusing on technological empowerment for rural development. By bringing spatial intelligence into mission monitoring, the project will contribute to India’s goal of inclusive, transparent, and sustainable governance.

“This collaboration represents a step forward in the Digital India mission, where space technology and geospatial tools will help ensure last-mile delivery of essential services,” stated Shri Vinay Thakur, Special Director General, BISAG-N.

Empowering Decision-Makers and Local Communities

The GIS-enabled platform will serve as a Decision Support System (DSS) for officials at national, state, and district levels. It will provide interactive dashboards, heat maps, and analytical tools for evaluating performance indicators such as water quality, service coverage, infrastructure progress, and sanitation outcomes.

Furthermore, the platform’s open-data approach is expected to empower local governments, Gram Panchayats, and community organizations to participate in data validation and localized planning.

Smt. Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary (JJM), noted: “Technology is an enabler for inclusive governance. With BISAG-N’s expertise, we aim to make our monitoring system more interactive, transparent, and participatory.”

Toward a Smarter, Data-Driven Rural Development Framework

By integrating geospatial data with mission analytics, DDWS and BISAG-N are creating the foundation for a smart rural governance ecosystem. This will help India move closer to its “Har Ghar Jal” vision—ensuring safe and adequate drinking water to every rural household—and sustaining the achievements of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

The collaboration represents not just a technological advancement, but a shift toward evidence-based policymaking in rural development—bridging the gap between infrastructure creation and service outcomes.

As India continues to adopt data-driven governance models, this partnership stands as a benchmark for how space applications, GIS mapping, and digital innovation can revolutionize service delivery and improve quality of life in rural communities.