Jashpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], August 17 (HBTV): For the people of Kujri, a forest-surrounded village in tribal-dominated Jashpur district, walking several kilometres to fetch clean drinking water was once a daily routine. That changed with the arrival of the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has now ensured a steady supply of potable water to every household.

Located around 15–17 kilometres from Jashpur district headquarters and near the Jharkhand border, villagers earlier depended on borewells. When these failed, they had to trek long distances to the River Lava. Hand-pumps installed by the government also dried up during summer months due to falling water levels.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, two solar-powered tanks of 10,000 litres each have been installed in Kujri village under Bumtel Panchayat of Manora development block. This has enabled round-the-clock access to clean water, even without electricity.

Executive Engineer S. B. Singh explained, 'The village is in a remote hilly area, and since the entire Manora block is a plateau region, some materials had to be head-loaded to reach there. Despite these challenges, a solar-based system has been set up, supplying water to about 56 homes. The tanks run on solar panels, so villagers don’t pay electricity bills.'

He added that the new system has significantly reduced hygiene issues and seasonal illnesses. 'Groundwater isn’t very successful in plateau areas, and earlier these villages faced diarrhea and other diseases during the rains. With clean water available, such cases have dropped sharply.'

The project is part of wider efforts under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Manora and Bagicha blocks to provide pipeline-based water supply to as many households as possible.

Locals expressed relief at the transformation. 'Thanks to tap connections and water tanks, we no longer face any problem. Earlier, women had to walk far for clean water. Now, just by turning on the tap, we get safe water at home,' said Satish Kumar Bhagat.

Another villager, Rajendra Prasad Bhagat, noted, 'There are about 70 houses in the village. Earlier, we often had to drink dirty water, and borewells frequently stopped working. Now, everyone gets clean water at home, and people are satisfied.'

(ANI)