Barsar to get relief from water crisis

Over 200 villages across 52 gram panchayats in the Barsar subdivision are set to receive regular drinking water with the implementation of a Rs 137 crore water supply scheme by the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department. The project, which is currently 65% complete, will provide over 15.50 million litres per day (MLD) of water to the area.

Villages in the Dhatwal region have long struggled with severe water scarcity throughout the year, including during winters and rainy seasons. In many cases, drinking water had to be supplied through tankers from sources located 60 to 80 kilometers away.

Queues of villagers waiting with containers were a common sight in places like Dhangota, Sathawin, Maharal, Bijhri, and Kotla. Even villages near the Maan Khud stream, which once had sufficient water, have faced shortages due to climate change and overuse.

Residents describe the past challenges as distressing. Ramesh Kumar from Bijhri recalled how quarrels would break out at public taps and tankers due to the limited supply. Suman Kumari of Dhangota said people had even stopped rearing livestock or practicing farming because of the water scarcity.

The new water supply scheme brings hope. It involves the installation of six high-powered pumping machines (570 HP each) that will draw water from Govind Sagar Lake near village Jai Sridevi. A total of 31 overhead tanks are being constructed to distribute the water across the subdivision.

According to Neeraj Bhogal, Superintendent Engineer of the Irrigation and Public Health Department, over 120,000 people will benefit from the project once it is completed. He added that the remaining work is expected to be finished within six months. While the local population remains cautiously optimistic, the scheme has already begun to restore faith in the promise of long-term water security for Barsar’s residents.

Himachal Tribune