Harsh climate, government apathy push Barmer into a grim water crisis

JAISALMER: It’s just what the elections should be for but unfortunately, it’s not. A fortnight after polls ended here, hundreds of villages in Barmer and Jaisalmer districts lie parched.

In fact, 72 years after Independence, over 200 villages and hamlets in Gadra and Chauhatan areas in Barmer district have not been connected with any government drinking water scheme.

Gram panchayats in many villages of the region have laid pipelines. Cement reservoirs have been constructed at some places but without water supply, they have dried up.

The water works department in Barmer has identified 1,300 villages and hamlets in the district hit by water scarcity. But in the absence of infrastructure, water through tankers is being supplied to only 471 villages. At other places, villagers are forced to quench thirst by buying campers and tankers. Residents of some villages like Arbi Ka Gafan, Hemege Ka Tala, Nava Pura Kharia, Rajbani, Bhabhute Ki Dhani, Ramjan Ka Gafan, Chandi Ka Paar, Sadul Ka Gafan, Tamache Ka Gafan, and dozens of hamlets and villages in Chauhatan and Gadra areas spend hours daily for a few vessels of water.

“The last time water came to our village through pipelines was about 25-30 years ago. But a few days later, the supply stopped at Saroope Ke Tala. With scanty rains, there is no water in nearby areas and traditional ponds and wells have dried up. In some ponds and wells, water swells up at night and families in the village wait for their turn to collect a few buckets," says Hanif Khan of Arbi Ka Gafan in Chautan area of Barmer.

“There are about 200 houses and hundreds of cattle in the area but there is hardly any water to be found. People have constructed tanks that they fill after buying water. In fact, the tankas are locked after filling so that water can’t be stolen," said another villager Mohammad Qayum.

Residents of Mohiba in Barmer have to queue up before sunrise near ponds for collecting a single pot of water that may have been used through the night. The area has over 100 villages and hamlets and is home to about 200-300 families. In peak summer, the situation becomes further grim.

At Sargila, the government tubewell has gone dry and people are forced to hunt for ponds nearby that may have a trickle of water. In stead of going to sleep after dinner, women have to wait in queues to fill a couple of pots. Some have even dug up their field in hope of getting water. According to senior engineer, PHED, Barmer, Hemant Choudhary, “The situation is grim in Gadra and Chauhatan areas. But there are proposals for connecting Gadra and some other areas with Indira Gandhi Nahar Prariyojna (IGNP) and the Narmada canal . Similarly, people in Chauhatan Gafan areas will get water but the plan for it is just being made. At present, in entire Barmer we are sending water to 471 places through tankers and will increase tanker supply system in coming days.