From Policy to Practice: A Governance Case Study of Rural Water Supply Implementation under India's Jal Jeevan Mission

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive policy and institutional analysis of rural drinking water supply implementation in Solapur district, Maharashtra, India—a semi-arid region experiencing chronic water stress. Using a systematic policy document review and institutional framework assessment, the study examines implementation mechanisms across five key dimensions: beneficiary targeting, infrastructure planning, digital monitoring, inter-agency coordination, and quality assurance. The analysis reveals a multi-layered governance architecture integrating digital platforms for real-time monitoring and accountability. Implementation priorities include universal Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), targeted provisions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and persons with disabilities, and convergence with complementary rural development schemes. As of December 2025, Solapur district has achieved 67% FHTC coverage with a functionality rate of 94%, an average water supply of 48 liters per capita per day, and 89% compliance with drinking water quality standards. Despite these advances, persistent challenges remain, particularly groundwater sustainability—68% of villages continue to depend on groundwater—uneven technical capacity across administrative tiers, and inadequate Operation and Maintenance financing. Water source sustainability emerges as the central constraint in semi-arid contexts, requiring adaptive strategies beyond conventional infrastructure-led policy frameworks. This documentary-based institutional analysis demonstrates how centralized water policies can be adapted to local hydrogeological conditions through flexible implementation protocols, digital monitoring integration, and multi-stakeholder coordination. The findings offer replicable lessons for adaptive water governance in federal systems facing increasing water stress, while highlighting the need for future empirical validation through field-based studies.