Sribhumi: A drinking water supply project worth Rs 3.25 crore, launched under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Mokamchara No. 2 village in the Ramkrishnanagar Assembly Constituency, has failed to provide any water to locals even after four months of its inauguration.
Ironically, water taps have been installed in the middle of paddy fields, far away from homes. Villagers say that not a single drop of water has come out of the taps since the project was launched. Many now rely on untreated water from ponds and nearby sources for their daily needs.
The water plant was expected to supply clean drinking water to hundreds of households and was inaugurated with much hope by local MLA Bijoy Malakar. However, residents say the project has turned into a source of disappointment and a possible example of misuse of public funds.
“There is a tap, but no water. Only the contractor seems to have gained from this project,” said a local villager.
Many allege that household connections were being given only to those who could pay bribes. One resident said, “Since I couldn’t pay, they installed the tap in my rice field instead of my home.”
These revelations have raised serious concerns over how the project was implemented and whether proper oversight was in place. Questions are also being asked about the role of the contractor and the responsibility of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).
Locals are now demanding a high-level inquiry into the usage of project funds and whether the money meant to benefit the community has been misused.
The departmental minister had earlier assured that people could file complaints if water was not supplied after project inauguration. With rising public anger, citizens are hoping that authorities will take strong action and ensure accountability.