National Visioning Workshop on WASH Assembles Experts to Chart Future of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in India

New Delhi: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) organized a pivotal workshop at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together officials, experts, and stakeholders from across India for the National Visioning Workshop on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). This significant event, marking a decade of the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen (SBMG) and five years of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), focused on evaluating the successes of these programs and setting strategies for sustainable, community-centered engagement going forward.

Prominent dignitaries attending included Vini Mahajan, Secretary, DDWS; Ashok K.K. Meena, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), DDWS; Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, NJJM; and other senior officials. State and Union Territory representatives joined, underscoring their shared commitment to furthering WASH initiatives across the country.

The workshop’s objectives centered on assessing current achievements and refining strategies to ensure effective and sustainable progress. Expressing appreciation for Secretary Mahajan’s contributions, officials recognized her influential role in shaping WASH policies aligned with India’s development goals.

Vini Mahajan reflected on the challenges and successes of SBM and JJM, advocating for extended timelines and funding, as well as deepened community engagement to secure long-term impact. She urged state leaders to enhance Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) to build local ownership and ensure the sustainability of WASH facilities.

Ashok Meena emphasized the importance of community-centered approaches for lasting results. He highlighted initiatives like ODF Plus Model Villages under SBM-G 3.0 and the need for new, people-centric solutions to meet evolving community needs.

Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, detailing JJM’s progress, introduced a pilot initiative with NITI Aayog to implement targeted WASH solutions in aspirational districts. His presentation on ‘JJM: Functionality, IEC, Future’ showcased the mission’s shift to a household-based approach, which has significantly expanded piped water access in rural areas. Dr. Kumar commended states like Gujarat and Manipur for their exemplary progress and called for robust financial planning to ensure continued success under the upcoming 16th Grants Commission.

Jitendra Srivastava, Mission Director & Joint Secretary, SBM-G, highlighted the achievements under Mahajan’s leadership and the progress made in ODF Plus Model Villages, Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), and plastic waste management. He encouraged innovative revenue models to support sustainable waste management and enhance rural toilet access.

During the workshop, DDWS launched the publication, “Drinking Waterscape in Rural India – Jal Jeevan Mission,” detailing JJM’s substantial contributions to improving rural water supply infrastructure.

The event concluded with a renewed call for state representatives to strengthen community leadership and prioritize the maintenance of WASH assets. The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2027. Officials also expressed optimism regarding the anticipated appointment of Shri Ashok K.K. Meena as the next Secretary, voicing confidence in his potential to elevate India’s WASH sector to new levels of excellence.