JAMMU, Feb. 19 -- Jammu and Kashmir have made significant strides in improving access to clean water in rural households through the "Jal Jeevan Mission," with many far-flung and hilly areas getting tap water supply for the first time in history.

The latest example of this achievement under the mission is the Lanker Pombay village of Panchayat Khaloora in Kulgam district, comprising about 80 households. This habitation did not have any sustainable water supply scheme, and inhabitants were finding it very hard to meet their water needs. The locals would mainly depend on hand pumps and water tankers supplied by the department to meet their daily domestic water needs on a minimum basis.

With the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission, a water supply...