Dhanbad. The years-long problem of water crisis for about 7 lakh population of Jharia, Putki and Kendua areas of Dhanbad is now about to end. Jharia water supply scheme worth Rs 310 crore is under construction at a fast pace, the work of which has been awarded to GMC company. The subsidiary company of Talapatru South is also technically involved in this scheme. To ensure regular supply of water to the entire region, the work of laying new pipelines and construction of large reservoirs is going on continuously.
Reservoirs Designed Large Reservoirs
Under the scheme, 21 motor pumps are being installed and the important work of laying new pipelines has almost been completed. To increase the water storage capacity in Putki and Jharia areas, large reservoirs of 500 KL and 400 KL capacity have been prepared. Construction of five tanks near Usha Talkies in Jharia has been completed, while one tank in Bhulan Barari and one tank in Putki has also been completed. In the coming years, smooth water supply to Dhanbad and surrounding population will start from these reservoirs.
Delay due to not getting NOC from NH
Mada Sub-Divisional Officer Sachin said that till now 60 percent work has been completed. 90 percent work of intake well and 95 percent work of water treatment plant (WTP) has been completed. About one kilometer rising pipeline is to be laid from the intake well to the WTP, work on which is going on at a fast pace. NOC has already been received from the Railways, due to which the work of laying the pipeline at Karkend and Horladih crossing is progressing. Construction of five sumps in Jharia, one in Putki, one in Karkend and one in Bhulan Barari has also been completed. However, due to non-receipt of NOC from RCD and NH, some works are getting delayed.
He also informed that payment has been made to the electricity department for the intake well and WTP, and electricity supply will start there soon. Under the scheme, water connections are to be provided to a total of 55,000 houses, the survey of which has been completed.
Service will start in 2026
Social worker Babu Rajkishore Jain informed that Rs 188 crore from Jamada market fee and Rs 122 crore from DMFT fund are being spent in this project. This scheme, which started in the year 2019, remained stalled for about a year during the Corona period, and later the work slowed down due to technical challenges. The company has been given time extension for the third time. By March 2026, water supply will start from about 50 taps within a radius of 7 kilometers, while by December 2026, the entire Putki Dhanbad area will be connected to regular supply.
victim of asthma due to water
Victim Tinku Modak told that since 2010 there was a severe shortage of water in his house. He and his mother had to walk a kilometer every day to fetch water. Carrying heavy weights caused pain in his knees and his mother became an asthma patient. Later, social worker Rajkishore Jain, after listening to their problem, got free water connection started from Jamada.
Ganesh Malakar says that since 2003, he has been collecting water daily from Baniyaheer Chhath pond, a kilometer away. Regular wages are also affected due to water problem. He is confident that after the completion of the water supply scheme, the decades-old problem of his area will end.
For the people of Jharia Dhanbad region, this scheme is not just a development project but is bringing relief and a ray of new hope in life.
