TAP WATER SCHEME STALLED

TAP WATER SCHEME STALLED

6-APRIL-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA-------------------------Residents of Ward No. 3 in Ghataon Panchayat—located within the Kudra block of the district—are facing severe hardships due to the dilapidated state of the 'Nal-Jal' (Tap Water) scheme. Despite the installation of a water tank within the ward, pipelines have yet to be laid to any household, preventing the benefits of the scheme from reaching the people. According to local villagers, the ward comprises approximately 150 to 200 households; however, not a single home has received a tap water connection to date. The situation is such that neither hand-pumps nor submersible borewells are available anywhere across the entire ward. Consequently, amidst rising temperatures, residents are forced to wander from place to place in search of drinking water.

Villagers state that the water crisis has become even more acute amidst the scorching summer heat. Women and children are compelled to fetch water from distant areas, severely disrupting their daily lives. Despite numerous complaints lodged at the local level, the issue remains unresolved. Outraged by the situation, the villagers have united to submit a formal application to the District PHED (Public Health Engineering Department), demanding the immediate laying of pipelines and the operationalization of the tap water scheme. The residents have issued a warning that if the issue is not resolved promptly, they will be compelled to launch a protest movement. In response to this matter, departmental officials have stated that they are currently assessing the situation and that necessary action will be taken shortly.