Udhampur: The Rural Development Department (RDD) is undertaking the construction of 260 traditional wells across Udhampur district in the current financial year in an effort to alleviate water scarcity in rural areas and raise groundwater levels, officials have said.
Of the total, 50 wells are to be built under the District Capex Plan and approximately 210 under the VB-G RAM G scheme. Construction work on 17 wells is currently in progress across various panchayats of the district under the VB-G RAM G scheme.
Water shortages in rural areas become particularly acute during the summer months, when natural sources dry up and residents face considerable hardship in meeting daily needs. It is in response to this recurring challenge that the district administration has launched the initiative to increase water availability in rural regions.
Residents of affected villages have described the relief the projects have brought. Balkishan, a resident of a village under Sulghar Panchayat in Ghordi block, said his village had long faced a severe drinking water crisis, which became particularly acute in summer and forced villagers to transport water containers from distant areas by vehicle.
A well is presently being constructed in the village, and the discovery of water at the site has brought great joy to residents, who will have access to clean drinking water close to their homes once it is completed.
Ravinder Kumar, a resident of the Sildha locality in Kaldi village, said his area suffered from an acute water shortage, with villagers previously travelling long distances into the forest to fetch water, where supply was often insufficient.
A proposal for a drinking water project was drafted and subsequently approved, and with the assistance of local labourers the project is nearing completion, with water now available in the area.
He noted that there had previously been no water source within the radius and that supply through taps was extremely limited, and that the project had provided significant relief.
Subhash Chandra, a resident of Sulghar village in Ghordi block, said the area, home to approximately 60 to 70 families, had faced a critical drinking water problem. The project has now made an adequate supply of water available, benefiting residents across five to six nearby villages, and will meet not only drinking water needs but also requirements for livestock and other household purposes.
Villagers expressed gratitude to the administration for the public-welfare initiative, remarking that it would help resolve a crisis that had persisted for years and that even during summer residents would no longer need to travel to distant areas in search of water.
Om Prakash, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD), Udhampur, said the sites for the wells were selected on the basis of suggestions from local residents during Gram Sabhas and panchayat meetings, ensuring that areas with the greatest need are prioritised.
According to officials, construction under the District Capex Plan is progressing smoothly, while the pace of work under the VB-G RAM G scheme was affected in some locations by heavy monsoon rains and the transition from the MGNREGA framework to the new scheme. The remaining work is expected to gain momentum in the near future.
The wells offer a dual benefit: employment to local labourers under the VB-G RAM G scheme and a sustainable system to increase water availability in villages, for domestic use, agricultural activities and livestock. The initiatives are also expected to play a significant role in improving groundwater levels and promoting water conservation.
Grants from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), Block Development Councils (BDC) and District Development Councils (DDC) are being utilised for the construction of the 50 wells under the District Capex Plan, and officials said an e-tendering process is being followed to ensure transparency in the allocation of these projects.
Construction is under way in several rural areas, including Sulghar Panchayat, providing employment opportunities for local labourers and supporting their livelihoods while developing water infrastructure expected to bring relief to residents.
The objective of the initiative, officials said, is to mitigate water scarcity in rural areas, promote water conservation and provide employment to local residents. Once construction is completed, rural families are expected to find relief from water-related challenges, particularly during the summer months and periods of drought.
