DRINKING WATER CRISIS FOR SEVEN DAYS

DRINKING WATER CRISIS FOR SEVEN DAYS

24-AUG-ENG 16

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------A drinking water crisis has intensified in the Bihiya Nagar Panchayat area of ​​the district. The tap-water supply has been completely halted in most wards of the town for the past seven days after the main PHED water supply pipeline was damaged during the construction of a new building within the block office premises. Residents are facing severe distress due to the lack of water amidst the scorching heat.

According to reports, the foundation for a new building was being dug using a JCB machine within the block premises. During this process, the large underground pipeline was struck by the machine. The main water supply connection for the town was severed when a pipe was dislodged, halting the drinking water supply to several wards.

Reports indicate that the main supply joint was cut by a JCB machine due to negligence during soil excavation for a new building within the block premises. Despite the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) informing the contractor and workers, the work continued carelessly, causing significant inconvenience to the town's residents.

It is reported that the water tower was previously under the jurisdiction of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) but was recently transferred to the Nagar Panchayat; consequently, the responsibility for its maintenance now lies with the Nagar Panchayat.

Work on laying an alternative pipeline was observed at the site on Sunday. According to the contractor, the repair was delayed because the necessary L-type joint required to connect the pipes was unavailable in the market. A new pipeline is now being laid via a different route, and it is claimed that the supply will return to normal within one or two days.

Local residents expressed that being deprived of a basic amenity like drinking water for a week has been extremely distressing. People are forced to rely on public handpumps or neighbors with private borewells. Citizens have demanded that the Nagar Panchayat administration restore the water supply immediately.