Contaminated Water in Bastar's Jal Jeevan Mission Village Leaves 15 Seriously Ill
Jagdalpur | Correspondent: In Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, over 15 residents from a village under the Darbha block have fallen seriously ill after consuming contaminated water. Several villagers have been admitted to the Tokapal Health Centre, while others are receiving treatment under a tamarind tree in the village itself.
The incident occurred in Junapani Para of Chirpal village, where locals have been forced to drink dirty water from a well for the past several days. Soon after, one by one, villagers began falling sick.
As the situation worsened, the health department set up a medical camp in the village and began treating over 10 affected individuals on-site. According to health officials, the villagers are suffering from vomiting and diarrhea due to consumption of polluted water.
Water samples have been sent for lab testing, and preliminary reports suggest the presence of harmful bacteria and high levels of contamination.
Villagers explained that although there are two hand pumps and two wells in the area, the hand pumps have not been functioning. With no alternative, they were forced to rely on the well water. Recent rains have reportedly caused runoff from nearby gravel mines to pollute the well, leading to the outbreak.
They say they had no other option but to drink the contaminated water.
Jal Jeevan Mission Claims 100% Coverage,Ground Reality Tells Another Story
This incident has put the functioning of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department under serious scrutiny. Despite government reports claiming that the Jal Jeevan Mission work in Chirpal village has been completed 100%, the ground reality reveals a stark contrast.
While the infrastructure,water tanks and pipelines,has been set up and connections installed, no borewells were dug to supply water. The scheme has benefitted contractors and officials more than the intended beneficiaries, leaving villagers still desperate for clean drinking water.
Local residents have repeatedly complained to the PHE department, but no action has been taken. Shockingly, this is not an isolated case; in many villages across almost all blocks in Bastar, work under the Jal Jeevan Mission remains incomplete.
Despite pipes and taps being installed in various areas, water sources were never established, forcing people to consume fluoride-laden water from hand pumps or polluted water from wells. Although some villages receive water via solar-powered pumps, the majority continue to suffer as the mission has effectively failed.
Years of Delay and Broken Promises
Chirpal’s village head, Mangduraam Nag, and other villagers shared that they have raised the issue multiple times with the PHE office, but to no avail. Last year too, officials promised speedy completion, yet only paperwork has progressed, not actual work.
When contacted for a statement, PHE Executive Engineer H.L. Markam did not respond. Meanwhile, villagers are left asking-How much longer will the Jal Jeevan Mission work in Junapani Para remain unfinished?
Bastar District Collector S. Harish stated that he is seeking a detailed report from the PHE department regarding the delay. He has also instructed health officials to ensure proper treatment for the affected villagers and ordered that the health camp continue until all patients recover.
