A review meeting of the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) was held at the Samiksha Bhavan in Bhagalpur on July 9, 2026.
By A Correspondent
Bhagalpur: The Bhagalpur district administration has directed officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply, improve sanitation services and expedite pending payments and infrastructure projects following a comprehensive review of the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM). The meeting also set deadlines for completing household toilets, expanding waste segregation and improving the performance of a biogas plant under the Gobardhan scheme.
A review meeting of the District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) was held at the Samiksha Bhavan in Bhagalpur under the chairmanship of Additional Collector (Law and Order) and In-charge District Magistrate Rakesh Ranjan.
The meeting reviewed the progress, operation, maintenance, quality and implementation of drinking water and sanitation schemes across the district.
Officials assessed the progress of water supply schemes, payment of honorariums to pump operators and maintenance workers, settlement of electricity bills, timely and quality disposal of drinking water-related complaints, regular monitoring of water quality, certification under the Har Ghar Jal scheme, the Sujalam Bharat database, the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan and the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for the 2026–27 financial year.
During the review, it was reported that payments had been made to 10,952 beneficiaries against the target of constructing 24,000 individual household toilets in the district. Geo-tagging and payment processing for the remaining beneficiaries are underway and are targeted for completion within the next two months. Officials were also instructed to accelerate the construction of 10 community sanitation complexes.
The meeting laid special emphasis on the effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. It reviewed the rollout of a four-point source segregation system requiring every household to separate wet, dry, medical and biohazardous waste. Officials informed the meeting that the system had already been introduced in around 25 per cent of the district’s gram panchayats, with the remaining panchayats expected to be covered within the next month by supplying additional dustbins.
The functioning of the biogas plant under the Gobardhan scheme in Bishanpur Jicho Gram Panchayat of Goradih block was also reviewed. Officials stated that the plant was not operating at full capacity. The implementing agency was directed to ensure full-scale operations and improve its maintenance and management.
During the review of honorarium payments to sanitation supervisors and sanitation workers, it was reported that funds up to November 2025 had been released to the concerned gram panchayats. It was decided that future payments would be ensured regularly through convergence of funds from the 15th Finance Commission and the State Plan, with necessary action to be taken at the panchayat level.
The meeting also reviewed joint inspection reports relating to tap water supply schemes. Officials were instructed to take necessary corrective measures based on the findings and ensure the early disposal of pending cases.
Chairing the meeting, Additional Collector (Law and Order) and In-charge District Magistrate Rakesh Ranjan directed all departments and implementing agencies to ensure uninterrupted operation of drinking water schemes, timely and quality resolution of water supply complaints, regular monitoring of water quality, early settlement of pending payments and completion of all schemes within the stipulated timeframe.
The meeting was attended by Additional Collector (Law and Order) Rakesh Ranjan, Additional Collector-cum-Deputy Development Commissioner Dinesh Ram, DRDA Director Durga Shankar, DRDA Director (NEP) Amar Kumar Mishra, the District Programme Officer (ICDS), and officials from various departments and implementing agencies associated with the District Water and Sanitation Mission.
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