Dang, May 28 -- For years, Uma Ben's mornings began with a long walk to fetch water. Like many women in Sakarpatal village of Gujarat's Dang district, she had to carry pots through hilly forest terrain every day to meet her family's daily needs.

Today, the situation has changed significantly. Under the Gujarat government's 'Nal Se Jal' mission and the Centre's 'Har Ghar Jal' initiative under the Jal Jeevan Mission, clean drinking water is now reaching homes directly through tap connections in remote tribal villages.

"The water now comes into our home. Earlier, we women had to go and fetch water. Now we get it in the comfort of our home. We are very happy," said Uma Ben, a resident of Dang district.

The availability of tap water connect...