From flour mill to water oasis: How a family saves this parched panchayat

Bhopal: Nearly 2,000 residents of Chhapri panchayat in Bhopal district’s Phanda block face an acute water crisis, relying on a private borewell operated by an elderly couple as public sources dry up and the Kerwa pipeline project misses repeated deadlines.

Dulari Sharma and husband Sheel Sagar Sharma run a flour mill and provide free water from their borewell despite rising electricity costs.

“Nothing is more essential than water, but here it has become a privilege,” Sheel Sagar said. The crisis worsened after Chhapri’s separation from Ratibad panchayat, when Ratibad stopped water supply and local borewells went dry.

“We used to fetch water from distant places with our son before installing this borewell. Our family suffered,” he recalled. “We never thought of charging — it’s service to society.”

Resident Hemanth Sharma drilled 650 feet deep but got no water. “People hesitate to invest Rs 2-3 lakh with no guarantee,” he said. Santosh Rai (60) pays Rs 500 monthly and laments, “Govt borewells were installed then forgotten. We vote for basic amenities, but plans don’t reach us.”

Durga Thakur collects 8-10 containers daily for her family of four from Nehru Nagar or Pipleshwar Mahadev temple. Sarpanch Anil Sharma said, “We’ve approached MLA and officials multiple times since separation from Ratibad, but no resolution.”

The 30-km Kerwa pipeline, under construction for two years, missed April 15 then April 30 deadlines. Banwari Lal Sharma called it the only long-term solution.

Zila panchayat CEO Ila Tiwari said most pipeline work is complete with trial run expected soon. SDM Vinod Sonakiya assured Jal Jeevan Mission progress and ground assessment.

Residents hope for relief by June 30, but continue depending on the Sharmas’ borewell amid gaps in public water infrastructure.