Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved the Maharashtra Rural Drinking Water Policy 2026, aimed at ensuring effective, sustainable, and equitable drinking water supply across rural areas of the state.
The policy establishes a comprehensive framework for the operation and maintenance of water supply schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. It focuses on integrating existing and future rural water supply projects, ensuring access to clean, disinfected, and quality drinking water for all citizens.
Aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 Vision and the goal of a developed India, the policy aims to provide sustainable and permanent drinking water solutions to every rural household by 2047. Planning will be carried out in short-, medium-, and long-term phases, with emphasis on water source rejuvenation, rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and village-level water self-sufficiency.
The policy mandates 100% recovery of operation and maintenance costs through water tariffs, while also creating dedicated Operation & Maintenance and Corpus Funds at Gram Panchayat, Zilla Parishad, and Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran levels. A minimum monthly water tariff of ₹150 and a maximum of ₹400 per household has been approved for Jal Jeevan Mission schemes.
To improve transparency and efficiency, the policy introduces SCADA systems, GIS-based monitoring, real-time dashboards, digital grievance redressal mechanisms, and a Central Water Management System. Women’s Self-Help Groups and cooperative societies will be given preference in water management and tariff collection activities.
The initiative is expected to strengthen rural water security and ensure reliable drinking water access for future generations across Maharashtra.
