Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service
Hisar, July 5

Fed up with acute water crisis, residents of Kila Jafargarh in Jind district revived a century-old well on the outskirts of the village. It was abandoned about 15 years ago when the government set up a water supply system in the area. Locals said the government supply was not able to fulfil their needs. Dharambir Singh, a panchayat member, said the well was once the sole source of potable water for the village. “Over the years, the village population increased and canal water level dipped. The authorities failed to upgrade the supply system despite protests. We finally collected funds and revived the well.

Collective effort

• The well was abandoned 15 years ago after a water supply system was set up at Kila Jafargarh village
• While village population has increased, the system was not upgraded
• Faced with crisis, locals pooled in money and revived the well

We are using its water for household chores and drinking,” he said. Water is available at 20 ft in the well. “It is a makeshift arrangement till the government arranges adequate water for us,” said Sunita, a local resident.

Sarpanch Kuldeep Singh said the village had a population of 7,000 and needed more water than available. “The government has issued tenders to lay a pipeline from Bhaini canal to the village waterworks. The Rs 65-lakh project is stuck due to some technical issues. Once completed, there will be no shortage of water,” he said.