Leh: In a significant step towards ensuring a sustainable and reliable drinking water supply in Ladakh, the Administration of UT Ladakh, on the initiative of Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today signed an MoU with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Patil, MoS, Jal Shakti, V Somanna and Secretary, Jal Shakti Ministry, Ashok KK Meena, were present on the occasion.
The MoU would formalise collaboration for the effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, a flagship programme of the Government of India, aimed at providing clean and adequate drinking water through functional household tap connections to every rural household.
One of the most striking features of this MoU is the 100 per cent Central funding for water connection in each household in Ladakh, as declared by the Minister, Patil. Treating Ladakh as a special case, the Ministry would bear the entire cost of Rs 4 lakh per water connection in Ladakh. Notably, in the case of other states/UTs, 10 to 40 per cent of the cost is borne by the respective state/UT.
The development follows the proactive engagement of the LG, Saxena, with the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Patil, wherein key issues related to water security in Ladakh were deliberated upon. The Lieutenant Governor has consistently advocated for enhanced central assistance and interventions in development projects in Ladakh, tailored to its unique ecological and geographical context.
According to the MoU, a structured framework has been established to ensure the commissioning and handover of piped water supply systems to local institutions, such as Gram Panchayats and Village Water & Sanitation Committees. The MoU was signed between the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department of the UT Administration.
The initiative is expected to significantly benefit Ladakh by addressing its unique water challenges arising from difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions, and limited freshwater resources. By strengthening infrastructure and promoting efficient water management practices, the MoU will play a pivotal role in ensuring year-round access to potable drinking water for rural households, reducing dependence on tanker-based supply and seasonal sources.
“This MoU marks a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving water security in Ladakh. Through strengthened collaboration under the Jal Jeevan Mission and initiatives like Project Him Sarovar, launched recently to harness snow and glacial melt, we are committed to ensuring that Ladakh becomes water self-sufficient. Given Ladakh’s unique challenges, this partnership will enable us to build sustainable, resilient and community-driven water infrastructure for the future,” said L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The MoU also seeks to establish a water quality testing and surveillance system, with tagging of water samples collected for testing at household locations. This would enable effective monitoring of remedial actions and ensure long-term water sustainability.
