Bankura's Shushunia village faces severe water crisis despite new pipelines and taps

Shushunia village, located in Bengal's Bankura district, is experiencing a significant water crisis despite recent infrastructure improvements that included the installation of new pipelines and water taps. This project, initiated approximately a year ago, was intended to enhance the drinking water supply in the village and reduce the reliance on traditional sources. Local authorities laid down pipelines and connected homes to these water lines, generating hope among the residents that their long-standing water issues would finally be resolved.

Historically, Bankura district has been categorized as drought-prone, with its residents frequently struggling to secure clean drinking water, particularly during the dry summer months. Prior to the installation of the new water infrastructure, villagers in Shushunia depended on two hand pumps located on opposite sides of the settlement. These pumps served as the primary sources of drinking water. In cases where the pumps malfunctioned or became inoperable, villagers had no choice but to rely on water from a nearby pond. This pond was utilized not only for drinking but also for bathing, washing dishes, and laundry.

The government initiative aimed to modernize the village’s water supply system, promoting a more sustainable and reliable method of delivering drinking water directly to homes. The new infrastructure involved installing concrete taps at every household, which were ceremoniously unveiled to the community. However, despite these advancements, residents report that water has yet to flow through the new pipelines since their installation. The failure to deliver water has left villagers perplexed and frustrated, particularly as one of the existing hand pumps has also been out of service for an extended period, compounding the issue.

Community members have expressed growing dissatisfaction with the situation. They have noted that political leaders often visit Shushunia during election campaigns, making numerous promises regarding improvements to the water supply system. Despite these assurances, the lack of action to provide functional water sources has left residents feeling neglected and angry. As a result, many villagers are forced to travel to distant sources, including the previously used hand pumps and ponds, to meet their daily water needs, affecting their quality of life.

In response to the ongoing crisis, residents of Shushunia are demanding immediate action from the local government. They are insisting that the authorities either ensure that the newly installed pipelines begin delivering water or remove the non-functional taps and infrastructure that have contributed to their frustrations.