Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday passed the Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026 to secure long-term, reliable drinking water for rural villages. It also approved a new High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project in Nagpur to significantly boost regional healthcare diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
According to state officials, the Maharashtra Rural Drinking Water Policy aims to provide continuous, equal access to safe drinking water for all villages. In accordance with this policy, a comprehensive plan will be prepared for the maintenance and repair of schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 being implemented in the state.
The key features of the policy are Source Sustainability, which prioritizes rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and the revival of traditional water sources to ensure villages are self-sufficient.
Under the Water Tariffs and Billing, standardized monthly household charges are fixed between a minimum of Rs 150 and a maximum of Rs 400. Maintenance responsibilities may be outsourced to Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.
The Solar Integration consists of transitions over 22,000 rural schemes to solar power to cut electricity costs and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The Digital Monitoring will utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), dashboards and ‘Nal Jal Mitras’ (certified local plumbers) for real-time grievance redressal and system upkeep.
The core objectives of the policy include the framework aligning with the national Jal Jeevan Mission. It aims to fully transfer asset management and maintenance to local Gram Panchayats and Village Water Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and to ensure clean tap connections are available for all schools, Anganwadis and public health centres.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to the establishment of a High Energy Medical Cyclotron Project in Nagpur. Spearheaded by the Medical Education and Drugs Department, this ambitious project will be the only one of its kind in the region. The advanced cyclotron facility will significantly enhance precision in medical treatments by providing cutting-edge diagnostic capabilities for a wide range of complex diseases and ailments. The project is expected to offer immense relief to economically weaker sections and needy citizens who previously had to travel to distant metros for high-end medical imaging and diagnostic scans.
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