Meghalaya, 2nd October 2026: The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Government of Meghalaya, has successfully concluded Jal Aman celebrations across 75 rural water supply schemes across the State, marking the largest collective Jal Arpan celebration undertaken simultaneously in Meghalaya.
Held across districts and divisions on and held on 1st and 2rd October 2026, the celebrations served as a community- led dedication of completed water supply infrastructure to the citizens of Meghalaya.
The events witnessed the participation of local communities, Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), public children, district administrations and PHE officials, reflecting the shared commitment towards achieving safe and sustainable drinking water access for all.
The celebrations also highlighted the collective efforts of communities and government institutions in strengthening rural water security.
The statewide celebration covered schemes across all regions of Meghalaya in Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Southwest Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, Ri-Bh0i, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Garo Hills and Southwest Garo Hills.
The 75 schemes comprise newly commissioned, augmented and upgraded rural water supply systems that are now serving communities across the State. Their completion contributes to Meghalaya’s continued progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has enabled a significant expansion of to household tap water connections across rural areas.
As of September 2026, Meghalaya had provided functional tap water connections to over 5.47 lakhs rural households, representing 84% coverage the State. Additionally, out of 7,795 Jal Jeevan Mission schemes, 6,195 schemes have already physically completed.
The Jal Arpan celebrations also reinforced the importance of community ownership, operation and maintenance of water supply assets, water quality monitoring, and source sustainability.
Meghalaya’s nationally recognized “Catchment-to-Tap” approach continues to guide efforts towards ensuring reliable and climate-resilient drinking water services, with active participation from communities in protecting and managing local water resources.
The PHE Department remains committed to strengthening service delivery under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 by ensuring that completed infrastructure translates into regular, adequate and safe drinking water supply for rural households while promoting long-term sustainability of water Sources and community managed water Systems.
