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A Review of Har Ghar Nal Yojana in Bihar: Achievements, Challenges, and Engineering Perspectives

Rupesh Ranjan, Civil Engineer
Email: rupesh27may@gmail.com

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Abstract

Access to safe and adequate drinking water is a basic necessity and a critical component of public health and rural development. Bihar’s “Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal” Yojana, launched under the Saat Nishchay Yojana (Seven Resolves), aims to provide piped drinking water to every rural household. This review paper explores the scope, planning, engineering implementation, policy framework, and challenges of the scheme in Bihar. It evaluates the progress of the initiative, the role of civil engineering in infrastructure development, and the long-term sustainability of rural water supply systems.

Keywords: Har Ghar Nal, Bihar, Rural water supply, Civil engineering, Saat Nishchay Yojana, Drinking water, Jal Jeevan Mission, Piped water

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1. Introduction

In a state like Bihar, where waterborne diseases and poor rural sanitation have historically been significant public health issues, the “Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal” scheme represents a transformative initiative. Launched in 2016 as a part of the state’s Saat Nishchay (Seven Resolves), it aligns with the central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to ensure piped water supply in every household [1].

The scheme covers rural habitations, aiming to eliminate the dependence on handpumps, wells, and contaminated surface water sources. It envisions a tap connection to every house, backed by safe water sources, filtration systems, and proper pipeline infrastructure. Civil engineering plays a crucial role in every stage—survey, source identification, design of pipelines and storage tanks, and monitoring systems.

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2. Objectives of Har Ghar Nal Yojana

• Provide safe drinking water to every rural household through piped connections
• Reduce water-borne diseases and improve public health
• Ensure gender equity by reducing the burden on women fetching water
• Create sustainable water supply infrastructure through proper engineering
• Promote community participation in maintenance and management

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3. Engineering Implementation

3.1 Survey and Design

Civil engineers conduct baseline surveys to assess:

• Population and household count
• Available water sources (tube wells, rivers, treatment plants)
• Topography for gravity-based or pump-based systems
• Soil conditions for laying pipelines

3.2 Infrastructure Components

• Overhead tanks and reservoirs for pressure control
• Submersible or surface pumps
• Filtration units for iron, fluoride, or arsenic-affected areas
• PVC and HDPE pipe networks connected to household taps
• Solar-powered pumps in off-grid rural areas

3.3 Monitoring and Quality Control

• Flow meters, pressure valves, and sensors to detect leaks
• Water quality monitoring using mobile labs and district labs
• Community-level water committees to ensure upkeep

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4. Progress and Achievements

• As of March 2025, over 1.78 crore households have been connected through Har Ghar Nal Yojana in Bihar [2].
• 100% saturation achieved in districts like Nalanda, Patna, and Gaya
• Bihar contributes significantly to the overall Jal Jeevan Mission targets at the national level
• Iron and arsenic filtration units installed in affected regions (Bhojpur, Buxar, Vaishali) [3]

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5. Policy and Financial Framework

• The scheme is state-funded under Saat Nishchay but now converges with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
• Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) is the nodal agency
• Annual budgets exceeding ₹8,000 crore allocated since 2020 for drinking water infrastructure [4]
• Community contracts and local employment are promoted under the scheme

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6. Challenges in Implementation

Challenge	Description
Source Sustainability	In many regions, groundwater levels are depleting rapidly
Water Quality Issues	Arsenic and iron contamination in North Bihar
Operation and Maintenance	Post-construction upkeep not standardized in many villages
Leakages and Corruption	Poor-quality pipelines, false reporting, and contractor-related issues
Community Awareness	Lack of training in water budgeting and conservation practices

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7. Role of Civil Engineering

Civil engineering is at the core of Har Ghar Nal Yojana. Responsibilities include:

• Hydraulic design of distribution networks
• Structural engineering for elevated storage tanks and pump houses
• Material selection based on soil corrosivity and groundwater data
• GIS mapping for planning and digital monitoring
• Site supervision and quality control during implementation
• Capacity building at local levels for minor repairs and maintenance

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8. Recommendations and Way Forward

• Sustainable sourcing from rainwater harvesting, treated surface water, or interlinking systems
• District Water Security Plans using real-time hydrological data
• Adoption of SCADA systems for automated monitoring and fault detection
• Training programs for rural youth in plumbing and system maintenance
• Integration with greywater reuse systems for kitchen and bathroom water recycling

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9. Conclusion

The Har Ghar Nal Yojana in Bihar is not just an infrastructure project but a social movement toward clean water access. Its success reflects the political will, engineering precision, and community participation. However, the long-term sustainability of the system depends on maintaining quality, ensuring source sustainability, and integrating civil engineering solutions with community-based governance. As a civil engineer, I believe this initiative sets the foundation for future water security and rural transformation in India.

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References

[1] Bihar State Government, "Saat Nishchay Yojana: Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal", Official Policy Document, 2016.
[2] Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Government of Bihar, “Progress Dashboard – March 2025.”
[3] Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, "Water Quality Reports of Bihar Districts", 2024.
[4] Bihar Budget Documents, "Budget Estimates for Drinking Water Schemes", 2024-2025.
[5] The Hindu, “Bihar Achieves Milestone in Rural Tap Connections,” July 2025.

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