The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to develop a GIS-integrated decision-support platform for the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

The platform will enhance data-driven planning, monitoring, and evaluation of rural water and sanitation programmes. It will enable real-time visualization and analytics, bringing greater transparency and efficiency to implementation.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary, DDWS stated that the collaboration with BISAG-N is expected to bring cutting-edge GIS capabilities to the existing digital infrastructure of JJM and SBM (G), enabling real-time visualization, analytics, and informed decision support.

The platform will also help map Rural Piped Water Supply Schemes (RPWSS), assign unique scheme-level IDs, and monitor water delivery up to household level, integrating with other rural infrastructure initiatives.

BISAG-N will provide end-to-end technical support, including database design, data migration, software development, and digital mapping. The initiative will align with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, ensuring convergence of water and sanitation projects with other infrastructure networks.

This collaboration is part of the Digital India vision, using geospatial and digital technologies to create a robust monitoring ecosystem for inclusive and sustainable rural development.