Malkapur's costly water tank stays dry for two years; villagers fetch river water, threaten poll boycott
Residents of Malkapur village in Daryapur taluka say a tank built at a cost of lakhs of rupees has never held water, and more than half the village warns it will boycott all coming elections.
Malkapur village, in the Khallar area of Daryapur taluka, has faced a serious water shortage for the past two years. A water tank was built in the village at a cost of lakhs of rupees, but not a drop of water has reached it so far. As a result, villagers have had to depend on the Chandrabhaga river bed for drinking water.
More than half the village has warned that if no lasting solution to the water problem is found, they will boycott all coming elections.
Villagers say they have repeatedly demanded that the water supply be fixed, but conditions have not improved. Anger against the administration has now come out in the open. The tank was built for the village by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran two years ago. More than two years have passed since the work was completed, yet no water has been stored in it. Residents allege that the tank, which cost lakhs of rupees, has become a showpiece structure for them.
According to the villagers, the problem persists because of alleged neglect by employees and senior officials of the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran. The tank stands on one side, while people have to search for water on the other. This has raised questions about how the administration works.
The Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran's main tank for supplying the Khallar area is at Chandrapur. Water is released from there to the tank at Landi village, and Malkapur is then meant to receive water on alternate days. For the past two years, however, this entire system has broken down. No water comes from the taps in the village, so women and other villagers have to carry water on their heads from the Chandrabhaga river bed. The river water is being used for drinking, and concern has also been raised about its quality. Contaminated water poses a health risk to children, women and the elderly.
Villager Ashokrao Mohod said: "We have been facing this water shortage for more than two years. We repeatedly appealed to several leaders and people's representatives to solve the problem, but nothing has changed. So more than half the people of the village have decided that they will not vote in any election until the water issue is resolved."
There is deep resentment in the village that, after waiting two years for a basic facility like water, no solution has been found. Since repeated demands have brought no concrete steps from the administration, villagers have taken the stand that there will be no voting until the water issue is settled. The people of Malkapur are now waiting to see the administration's next move.
