Women of Ward No. 4 of Rajnagar Gram Panchayat in North Tripura locked a Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) pump house today in protest against a prolonged drinking water crisis.ย Agitators alleged, a major pipeline connection has remained non-functional for nearly three months.
At A Glance:
- Residents of Ward No. 4 have reportedly gone without Jal Jeevan Mission drinking water for nearly three months due to a faulty major pipeline connection.
- Agitated women locked the pump house on Thursday and alleged that poor-quality pipes have caused repeated leaks and supply disruptions.
- The pump operator assured the protesters that the matter would be taken up with higher authorities, but the women warned of a larger agitation unless a permanent solution is found.
An acute drinking water shortage has triggered a protest in Rajnagar, where women from Ward No. 4 of Rajnagar Gram Panchayat locked the JJM pump house on September 10. The residents said they had received no drinking water from the facility for nearly three months.
Three-Month Water Supply Disruption
Residents of Ward No. 4 have been facing the crisis for around three months. They depend on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) pump located in Ward No. 6 for drinking water supply.
According to local sources, a major connecting pipeline attached to the pump has remained out of order for nearly three months. The breakdown has disrupted the supply to the affected households.
Residents said they repeatedly informed the concerned authorities about the problem. They raised the issue both verbally and through written complaints.
However, the problem remained unresolved for a prolonged period. With no regular water supply, frustration among local residents continued to grow.
Women Stage Protest
The situation reached a flashpoint today. A group of agitated women from Ward No. 4 gathered outside the pump house.
The women then locked the pump house to register their protest. They said the prolonged failure had caused serious hardship for families in the area.
The protest also brought renewed attention to the condition of the pipeline network under the water supply project.
The women demanded an immediate restoration of drinking water. They also sought a permanent solution instead of repeated temporary repairs.
Allegations Over Pipeline Quality
The protesters alleged that poor-quality pipes were used during the implementation of the project.
They claimed that the alleged poor quality of the pipeline infrastructure has created repeated problems for villagers. According to them, repairing one section often leads to a fresh leak in another section.
Such repeated failures, they said, result in water wastage and interruptions in supply.
The women argued that residents should not have to bear the consequences of infrastructure failures in a project intended to provide regular drinking water.
Talks With Pump Operator
During the protest, the women spoke directly with pump operator Debashish Debnath.
Debnath said he would bring the matter to the attention of the higher authorities. He also assured the protesters that steps would be taken to repair the damaged pipeline and restore drinking water supply as soon as possible.
The assurance, however, did not immediately end the protest.
The women retained the key to the pump house in their custody. Their action reflected their dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in resolving the problem.
Demand For Permanent Solution
The protesters made it clear that they want more than a temporary repair. They demanded a lasting solution to the pipeline problem so that the water supply does not stop repeatedly.
For residents, the issue has moved beyond a routine technical fault. The prolonged disruption has affected access to a basic necessity.
The women also warned the authorities that they would intensify their agitation if the drinking water problem is not resolved quickly and permanently.
The warning has put pressure on the concerned authorities to act on the damaged pipeline and restore regular supply to the affected households.
