Biswanath village gets safe drinking water after years of crisis
After several failed pipeline & borewell attempts under JJM, a private initiative by a local social worker brings functional drinking water to Puroni Gaon
Villagers storing drinking water in Biswanath Ghat Puroni Gaon (Photo: AT)
Biswanath, Feb 13: Residents of Biswanath Ghat Puroni Gaon in Biswanath district have finally gained access to clean drinking water after years of scarcity, despite crores of rupees reportedly being spent under the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission.
Located barely 100 metres from the Brahmaputra, the village had taps installed under the government scheme, but no functional water supply was provided, villagers alleged.
Repeated attempts to lay pipelines and dig bore wells failed, with officials citing rocky and gravel-heavy terrain as a major challenge. With only one well in the village and falling groundwater levels, families were forced to fetch water from distant locations.
Villagers said earlier government efforts stalled due to excavation difficulties.
“We specifically needed drinking water. There is only one well, and the water level has gone very low. Government workers complained about stones and gravel while digging," a local villager said.
The situation changed after Dr. Kishore Hazarika, Director of the Green Ashiyana Welfare Foundation in Biswanath, financed and facilitated the installation of a scientifically identified safe drinking water system in the village.
In several parts of Biswanath Ghat, fluoride contamination in groundwater further limited safe options, making it difficult to bore wells indiscriminately.
“Many locations in Biswanath Ghat have fluoride in the water, so boring wells everywhere is not possible. We have identified safe groundwater spots and unveiled two sources today. More will be developed as we find suitable locations,” stated Dr. Hazarika.
The crisis has been partially addressed with two groundwater sources now operational, and plans to develop four to five additional points in the coming days.
The development has also triggered criticism for the local MLA from local organisations.
“Safe drinking water is a basic necessity. If we list the problems of Biswanath Ghat, lack of drinking water will be the first. A social activist has resolved the issue instead of the resident MLA. There is no need for politics to solve public woes,” said Dilip Gojrel, Vice President of the All Assam Gurkha Student Union.
While authorities have maintained that water supply has been ensured in multiple locations under the Jal Jeevan Mission, residents of Biswanath Ghat Puroni Gaon said functional access to safe drinking water was established only after the recent private initiative.