New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- In a significant announcement during the Budget 2025-26 presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the expansion of India's rural water access initiative, highlighting substantial progress and setting ambitious targets for comprehensive coverage.

The Minister reported remarkable achievements in rural water connectivity since 2019, with 150 million households, representing 80 percent of India's rural population, now having access to potable tap water connections.

Building on this success, the government has extended the Mission's timeline to 2028, allocating enhanced funding to achieve universal coverage.

The renewed Mission will prioritize infrastructure quality and operations and maintenance (O&M) ...