Mail News Service
Ranchi: As summer intensifies, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has initiated efforts to repair non-functional hand pumps across the state to mitigate the looming water crisis. The department installs and maintains hand pumps in village panchayats to ensure water availability in rural areas. However, with the rising heat, a large number of these hand pumps have been found to be inoperative, exacerbating the water scarcity issue.
According to official data, a total of 1,85,778 hand pumps have been installed across 24 districts of the state. Out of these, 1,44,654 hand pumps—approximately 77.86%—are currently functional, while 41,016 remain out of order. The situation is particularly concerning in regions where groundwater levels have significantly dropped, rendering many hand pumps ineffective. The department has now instructed engineers to assess and repair the faulty hand pumps at the earliest, especially those requiring minor fixes such as pipe replacements.
The crisis is particularly severe in districts like Giridih, which has the highest number of hand pumps at 17,389. However, Bokaro faces the most significant challenge, with 4,478 of its 14,197 hand pumps currently out of order. Other affected districts include Dhanbad, where 2,024 of the total 4,751 hand pumps are non-functional and Pakur, which has 2,390 out of order. Ranchi, the state capital, is also grappling with the issue, as 2,603 of its 12,128 hand pumps remain defunct.
Officials have emphasized the importance of timely repairs, especially in areas where the borewells have collapsed or the water table has receded. “Engineers have been directed to prioritize repairs and ensure the immediate restoration of hand pumps with minor defects,” said Yogendra Prasad, a senior official from the department.
To improve monitoring and accountability, the department has implemented geo-tagging for all hand pumps across the state. This system allows real-time tracking of hand pump functionality using geo-tagged photographs, helping officials take necessary action based on field data.
With summer worsening water shortages in several areas, the department’s repair efforts will be crucial in ensuring access to safe drinking water for thousands of residents across Jharkhand.
