Koderma District: The government’s ambitious tap-water scheme is proving to be a complete failure in many villages of Dhab Panchayat located in Domchanch block. The water towers and supply systems installed under the scheme have been lying defunct for a long time, due to which the villagers of Madwatand, Budhiya and Vandana villages are facing serious drinking water crisis. The situation is such that the villagers have to dig small pits in the river and use the water that seeps into them for drinking water. Villagers say that even though the monsoon has started, they are still not able to get clean drinking water. Complaints about the malfunction of the water tower were given to the concerned department several times, but till now no concrete action has been taken. At some places the motor is broken and at some places the solar system is completely shut down, due to which the water supply is at a standstill. Kunti Devi of the village said that they are forced to use river water, due to which many people are falling ill. Villagers say that drinking dirty water is having a serious impact on health and everyone from children to the elderly are falling prey to diseases. The villagers affected by this problem include many people including Kunti Devi, Kajal Devi, Kari Masomat, Sunita Devi, Anar Devi, Ramkishun Bhuinya, Ashok Ravidas, Shailendra Bhuinya, Dilip Bhuinya, Rajkumar Bhuinya, Nunulal Bhuinya, Ramvilas Bhuinya and Rekha Devi. Everyone has demanded from the administration to repair the water tower and restore the drinking water system as soon as possible. Villagers say that until there is no regular water system, they will be forced to drink water by digging lime in the river. Dhab Panchayat head Baiju Turi said that several requests have been made to the PHED department regarding the repair of the water tower and drinking water system, but till now no improvement has been made. He said that the problem remains the same and the villagers are facing a lot of trouble. The villagers have demanded from the government that the shortcomings of the tap water scheme should be removed and the provision of clean drinking water should be ensured as soon as possible, so that people can get relief from this serious crisis.
The villagers’ thirst is being quenched by well water.
