Transforming Lives in Pidhapokhri Village: Keonjhar Admin’s Unique Project Made It Possible

Keonjhar: Located atop the Malangtoli Hills in Joda Block, Pidhapokhri village, with a population of around 200 households, has been facing acute scarcity of water since decades, due to unique local hydro-geological factors.

Water used to be supplied in tankers, twice a day, which barely met the minimum needs of people in the village, leading to multiple development deprivations.

It is in this context that a ‘Household Piped Water Supply Project’ for the village was sanctioned under DMF Keonjhar at a cost of ₹2.63 Cr in 2018.
It is one of the most unique initiative by Keonjhar Administration supported by DMF, said Keonjhar Collector Ashish Thakare.

Under the project, water sourced from a natural ‘Spring’ is lifted to a height of more than 300 feet using a 10 HP solar pump to an overhead tank, from where it is then supplied to households through individual tap connections, after filtration.

Construction of the drinking water infrastructure and laying of pipelines for this innovative project was a major challenge, due to the hilly terrain and difficult geography. However, the RWSS department overcame this and successfully completed the project due to meticulous planning and execution.

Today, people of Pidapokhari village have assured supply of adequate and safe water, at their doorsteps. They no longer wait all day for the water tankers, as they once used to do.