Incomplete Pipeline Work Amplifies Water Woes of Bagbera Residents

Jamshedpur: A stalled drinking water pipeline project worth ₹4 lakh under the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) fund has left around 50 households in Bagbera Colony grappling with acute water scarcity and hazardous road conditions.

The project, aimed at restoring drinking water supply to Road Number 3 near Kunwar Singh Ground after years of disruption, started over a week ago. However, the contractor abruptly abandoned the work halfway, severely escalating difficulties for local residents.

Taking up the grievance, Panchayat Samiti member Sunil Gupta met Jamshedpur Block Development Officer (BDO) Sumit Prakash on Monday to submit a memorandum demanding the immediate completion of the project and resumption of regular water supply. Gupta also raised the matter with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Junior Engineer.

“Due to this incomplete work, drinking water supply to several homes has been completely cut off for days. Furthermore, the contractor used a JCB to dig up the main road at DB Road Chowk and left mounds of soil uncovered. This blocks traffic and creates a major accident hazard,” Gupta said, accusing the contractor of flouting standard safety regulations.

Responding to the complaint, BDO Sumit Prakash directed the PHED Junior Engineer to ensure the contractor finishes the pipeline laying immediately. The Junior Engineer subsequently assured the delegation that the remaining work would be fast-tracked to restore regular water supply to the affected families without further delay.