Water Supply Schemes Inaugurated in J&K | 10 Feb 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Minister for Science & Technology inaugurated seven water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points 

  • Water Supply Schemes: 
    • The seven newly inaugurated water supply schemes, costing Rs 25.31 crore, will benefit 15,881 people across 2,584 households in 10 villages, including Jasrota, Rakh Hoshyari, Padyari, Saktha Chak, Bhadoli Charpad, and Mangtian. 
    • A total of 303 water supply schemes, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,369.57 crore, are being implemented in the Kathua district. 
  • Key Infrastructure Projects: 
    • The importance of major projects like the Chattergala tunnel and the Delhi to Katra Expressway corridor, were highlighted. 
      • The importance of the Chattergala tunnel in providing all-weather connectivity between Doda and Lakhanpur. 
      • He also announced the construction of nine additional underpasses along the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, responding to public demand. 
  • Promoting Tourism and Economic Growth: 
    • The role of tourism in creating employment opportunities and boosting livelihoods, with plans to promote tourism in Basohli and Mantalia. 
    • The Mansar area in Udhampur district is being developed as a tourist destination under the Swadesh Darshan scheme. 
  • District Kathua's Economic Potential: 

Jal Jeevan Mission

  • About: 
    • Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. 
    • JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. 
    • It comes under Jal Shakti Ministry. 
  • Aims: 
    • The mission ensures functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture. 
    • It also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking water supply system, grey water treatment and its reuse.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme 

  • It was launched in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits — Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Northeast Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Wildlife Circuit and Tribal Circuit. 
  • It is 100% centrally funded and efforts are made to achieve convergence with other schemes of Central and State Governments and also to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and Corporate Sector. 
  • Swadesh Darshan 2.0:  
    • It is not an incremental change but a generational shift to evolve the Swadesh Darshan Scheme as a holistic mission to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations. 
    • It will help develop sustainable and responsible destinations with a tourist and destination centric approach.