Rajasthan well quenches thirst of MP village:No water supply from taps installed under Har Ghar Nal Se Jal scheme

Empty drums loaded on bullock carts, women carrying earthen pots on their heads and children struggling in scorching 45-degree heat — this is the reality of Fatehpur village in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district. Residents of the village are still forced to walk daily to the Rajasthan border for drinking water. Although taps have been installed and pipelines laid under the government’s “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” scheme, not a single drop of water has reached homes even after two years. Dry handpumps and unsafe village well deepen crisis Fatehpur village, located around 40 kilometres from the Rajgarh district headquarters under Bawdikheda gram panchayat, has a population of nearly 200 people living in about 25 houses. The village has three handpumps, but all of them are non-functional. There is also a well in the village, but residents say its water is no longer fit for drinking. As a result, women, elderly villagers and children travel nearly half a kilometre to a neighbouring village in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district to fetch water from a well there. Villagers say a large part of their day is spent arranging water before they can go to work in farms or take up daily wage labour. First, see three pictures Taps installed, but water never arrived Two years ago, pipelines were laid in the village under the government’s tap water scheme. Taps were also installed outside homes. Residents had hoped that their long struggle for water would finally end. However, even after two years, the taps remain dry. Dry taps standing in the middle of the village and pipelines protruding from the ground now reflect the incomplete implementation of the scheme. Children’s education being affected When a Dainik Bhaskar team visited the village, resident Gajraj Singh Gurjar was seen leaving on a bullock cart carrying empty drums to collect water. “We bring water from a well located in Rajasthan, about half a kilometre away from the village. Women go there, elderly people go there and even small children accompany them,” he said. Gajraj Singh added, “Taps have been installed, but there is no water in them. This problem has existed for years. First we arrange water, then we go to farms or labour work. Children’s studies are suffering because of the water crisis. We complain, but nobody listens.” Villagers claim pipelines were never connected Another villager, Kalu Singh, pointed to pipelines lying exposed along the roadside. “Pipelines were laid under the tap water scheme two years ago, but they are still lying outside. Taps were installed, but the pipelines were never connected properly. How will water come then?” he asked. Villagers said officials had initially assured them that every household would receive water supply. While pipelines were laid and taps installed, the project never moved beyond paperwork. Extreme heat making situation worse Women in the village said the crisis intensifies during summer. Many families are forced to make two trips a day to fetch water. Even during peak afternoon heat, they have no option but to walk to the Rajasthan well because there is no drinking water left at home. Women carry pots on their heads while small children help transport water. Villagers say every morning begins with the struggle to fetch water, followed by constant anxiety over arranging drinking water for the next day. Summer worsens conditions every year Fatehpur village is located along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border. Over the years, villagers have become dependent on the Rajasthan well for survival. Elderly residents said the situation worsens every summer, but no permanent solution has been provided so far. At times, long queues form near the well and villagers are forced to wait for hours to fill water. Officials assure early resolution Khilchipur Janpad Chief Executive Officer Govind Singh Solanki acknowledged the water crisis in the village. He said the village falls in a border zone between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, making the situation more complicated. “It is unfortunate that people are being forced to go outside the state for water,” he said. The official added that work under the tap water scheme is ongoing. According to him, delays occurred due to rocky terrain and technical issues, but the problem will be resolved soon. He also said pipeline work is being carried out through Larsen Toubro and regular monitoring is underway. Once completed, the scheme will be handed over to the gram panchayat.