Inhabitants of Manpur village at Chandankiyari block under Bokaro district are facing severe drinking water crisis for quite a long period. There is no potable water facility for around 2,000 families living in the village.
“We are feeling the pangs of water scarcity, forced to trek 3-5 kms daily with containers to fetch water,” said Tarapado Ojha a resident. The village has government aided 16 tube wells and all are defunct since a long time, wells in the outskirts of the village almost dried up while water level goes down in few of them, said Bibhuti Pandey. “We are struggling hard for a single dope of water in the village, facing a very hard time,” he added.
No one is paying heed on our complaints or problems, said Mahavir Mahata another villager. “Making excuse that Model Code of Conduct is in force, the officials are avoiding taking action. We have to trek 5 to 7 kms with containers to fetch water either from Ijari River or nearby natural sources ‘dhari’ streams ones or twice each and every day,” said Dilip Bauri.
Besides concerned authorities, we have made several complaints with local MLA and MP but all goes in-vain, said Heran another villager. Village is facing huge water crisis as there are many coal tunnels or coal pits under the ground across the village which resulting into depleting water level, he said.
“Lack of drinking water is forcing people to consume impure water. People, especially children and elders are vulnerable to water-borne diseases due to the consumption of contaminated water,” said Sunita Devi.