Panjethi village faces potable water shortage

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 7

Residents of Panjethi village in Mandi district have been facing acute shortage of potable water for the past few months due to poor management of water distribution by the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department.

Villagers alleged that due to the poor water distribution system, the demand of potable water for daily needs were not being met. The Panjethi village is situated three kilometers away from Mandi town, which falls under Talyahar panchayat.

Villagers rue that they met officials of the IPH Department and the minister concerned to find a permanent solution to the problem.

Ghanshyam, a resident of Panjethi village, said despite adequate rain in the past one month, which had increased the water level in dried water resources, the villagers were still struggling to fulfil their daily water needs.

“We have connected pipes with the rooftop to collect rain water for daily use because the IPH Department provides water supply for just half-an- hour after a gap of one week” he added.

Preetipal Singh Gularia, another resident of village, said, “There are a few houses, which are getting regular water supply, while others were suffering. The reason behind is the apathy of the IPH Department, which has failed to develop a proper mechanism for water distribution.”

Arun Sharma, XEN, IPH Department, said the water distribution system was covered under an old water scheme which catered to the demand of villagers, when the population was less. The water pipes are of low volume capacity, which is the main cause of inadequate water supply.

He said, “The department is providing water supply in every household after a gap of two days but still there are complaints. Now, the department is planning to install water meters in every house of the village to ascertain the actual claims of the villagers.”

He said to find a permanent solution, the department would connect the village with the new water scheme, which would help them in getting regular water supply round the clock. The construction work of the new water scheme was in progress and it would be completed in the next few months.