India’s tryst with drinking water is one that is a legacy of neglect. And a fatal one at that. Last week the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a review of India’s ongoing water mission: Har Ghar Jal. The findings were revealing. It listed the following benefits that will accrue to India if it did indeed succeed in providing safe drinking water to all households in India:
- Avert 4 lakh diarrhoeal disease deaths;
- Avoid the loss of 14 million DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years);
- And save upto $101 billion.
The good news is that India is trying to bridge the drinking water deficit in a hurry. Since 1 January, this programme has acquired incredible momentum: delivering one tap connection to a rural home every second.
To understand the profound socio-economic implications we spoke to Vini Mahajan, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
