Bihar Nears Universal Tap Water Provision for Families

Bihar is on the verge of achieving universal tap water connectivity, with over 93% of families now receiving this essential service. Government efforts have increased the number of households with tap water from 2.66 lakh in 2016 to 1.87 crore by 2026, according to Public Health Engineering Minister Sanjay Kumar Singh.

The scheme particularly targets left-out hamlets, especially those housing Mahadalit communities, to ensure their inclusion within the next three months. Alongside expanding coverage, the government is taking steps to mitigate the effects of heatwaves by deploying 475 water tanks and several ATMs in vulnerable regions, alongside an expansive hand pump repair effort.

Minister Singh highlighted the establishment of laboratories across all administrative levels to conduct regular water quality checks. Innovations like IoT-based monitoring and a Centralised Grievance Redressal Cell exemplify the state's dedication to improving water infrastructure and service efficacy. These strategies are already addressing larger systemic challenges, with a significant number of grievances being successfully resolved.

(With inputs from agencies.)