DHANBAD: Despite high-profile inaugurations and tall government claims of providing ‘Nal Se Jal’ (water from taps) to every household, the residents of Pandadih village in Mahuda (Baghmara) are struggling for every drop of water. The Mahuda Rural Water Supply Scheme, built at the cost of lakhs, remains defunct even after a grand re-inauguration held earlier this month.
The Reality Check
On May 3, Baghmara MLA Shatrughan Mahto re-launched the project with much fanfare. However, local residents, including Joshna Devi and Lakshmi Devi, claim that since the day of the ceremony, not a single drop of water has reached their homes. The project, which was supposed to bring relief during the peak summer, has turned out to be a massive disappointment.
A Legacy of Neglect
The foundation stone for this project was laid five years ago by the then-MLA and current MP Dhullu Mahto. Since its inception, the scheme has been plagued by issues—ranging from pipelines being damaged during railway underpass construction to absolute departmental apathy. Although the pipes were reportedly repaired after being damaged for 18 months, the taps remain dry.
Health Hazard Looms Large
Adding to the woes, the hasty repairs before the inauguration led to the destruction of a roadside drain. “The drain was simply covered with soil, causing sewage to overflow onto the streets,” says local youth Bharat Kumar Rajak. This poses a severe health risk to children attending the nearby Anganwadi and primary school.
For the people of Pandadih, these plaques of inauguration are nothing more than political stunts. As the mercury rises, the village continues its wait for a basic necessity: clean drinking water.
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