From Biplab Kr Dey
DAINADUBI, Aug 17: Seven villages clustered under one project of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have raised serious concerns as their project has not even taken off despite more than three years having passed since approval.
The villages—Depa Garat, Depa Andok, Depa Sarangma, New Sarangma, Dankong Rabha, and Dankong Garo—were grouped under the Depa Garat Combined WSS project, sanctioned in 2021-22 at a cost of just under Rs 8.5 crore. However, work is yet to begin, largely because parts of the project fall under forest land.
Reports state that New Sarangma, Dangkong Rabha and Dankong Garo lie entirely within forest land, while parts of the other villages include both patta and forest areas.
Following complaints, villagers from all seven villages gathered at Sarangma to discuss the non-implementation of their water project.
“We are really perplexed as to why the department has not even begun the programme to supply water to our villages. We have approached them on several occasions but they continue to say that the Forest department has objected to the project as it falls in their land,” said sordar GK Marak.
JJM records show that only Rs 1.5 lakh has been withdrawn from the project, supposedly for supplying water to two schools and an anganwadi centre. However, villagers said no pipes were found in these places.
The villagers added that they even approached the Forest department for an NOC after being directed by officials, but never received any response or explanation for the objections.
“If there are objections to the use of forest land, the department sincerely needs to explain how other villages in both East and North Garo Hills have seen their projects completed. When we visited the PHE department, they assured us that the project would definitely start but it has not happened till date,” added Marak.
They pointed out that villages such as Nogor Bazar, Tengasot, Nameram and Chilpara, even those encroaching on forest land, were provided water under JJM, while their case remains stuck. A similar situation was also reported in reserve areas near Williamnagar.
“Why is there a bias? If they can get water to their doorsteps, why are we being deprived? What is even stranger is the fact that major parts of our villages don’t even fall under the forest area but they are still objecting,” asked another resident.
Villagers said they suggested breaking the project into two or three smaller clusters or even single-village projects, but nothing materialised. The prime issue lies with the proposed location of the main tank, which, as per the plan, falls under forest land. Even their suggestion to shift it to non-forest land was ignored.
“We even met the former PHE minister during his tenure in office after our project failed to start. He too assured that it would be looked into. We approached Marcuise as well but nothing helped. The department needs to work out a solution for us quickly or we will be completely left out of the JJM map,” added Marak.
The villagers noted that they are beneficiaries of various state and central schemes, including PHE pipelines before JJM, PWD roads and MGNREGA jobs, but the JJM project remains the only one left in limbo.
After exhausting all options, they submitted a written complaint and verbally raised their concerns with PHE Minister Marcuise Marak last year. However, apart from assurances, no progress has been made.
“So why is this the only scheme stuck in limbo when nearby villages have already completed their projects and are getting tap water? As residents of the country, we deserve the same scheme that is provided to everyone. This is denial of our rights,” said the sordar.
When contacted, Marcuise admitted awareness of the issue, saying the project was stalled due to forest department objections. “We are trying our best to sort this out quickly,” he said, adding that work would begin once clearance is received.
The seven villages together have 540 households, a population of over 3,000 and three polling stations.