Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: For over a decade, the residents of Bagbera have been enduring a severe water crisis due to the stalled Bagbera Mega Rural Water Supply Scheme. Despite repeated court assurances and reports, the project remains incomplete, leaving 2.25 lakh people deprived of clean water. Frustrated by the prolonged delay, the residents have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take stringent legal action against the corrupt officials involved in the scheme and recover the misappropriated funds from their salaries.
A protest led by Subodh Jha, President of the Bagbera Mahanagar Development Committee, was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday. The protesters submitted a memorandum of ten-point demands addressed to the Prime Minister. The demands included immediate tanker-based water supply to affected areas and expediting pipeline installations in colonies yet to receive them. A one-day dharna has also been scheduled for January 11 at Ramnagar Chowk, near the Bada Bajrangbali Hanuman Temple.
ADM Law and Order Ankit assured the demonstrators of proactive steps to alleviate the water crisis. “We will coordinate with Tata Steel-UISL (Jusco) and Tarapore to prioritize water supply through tankers. The Deputy Commissioner will also discuss the issue with the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. Additionally, the Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer will be instructed to accelerate pipeline installations and inspect incomplete work,” said Ankit. He further promised to inspect the filter plant at the Bagbera Housing Colony Water Supply Scheme and ensure clean drinking water reaches 1,140 houses before summer.
The ten-point demands include: completion of the Bagbera Rural and Housing Colony Water Supply Schemes before summer, immediate water supply through tankers, legal action against corrupt officials, pipeline installations in 33 railway colonies, and filling pits left by unfinished work. Other demands include boundary walls for the filter plant, restoration of water supply to over 150 houses in Bagbera Housing Colony, and clarity on responsibility between the two Executive Engineers, Sunil Kumar and Sumit Kumar.
“This is not just about water; it’s about accountability,” said Subodh Jha. “We urge the administration to fulfil its promises and prioritize this issue. The people of Bagbera cannot suffer any longer.”
The on-going crisis underscores the need for urgent administrative intervention to bring the long-delayed project to completion, providing residents with the basic necessity of clean drinking water.
