ARUN KASHYAP | Haridwar
The Jal Jeevan Mission conceptualised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought about considerable improvement in the lives of people. Works under the mission are also being undertaken in Uttarakhand, but some purportedly incompetent and corrupt government officials and contractors have made this just another means of perpetuating the inefficiency and corruption that PM Modi is against.
A project costing Rs five crore, executed under this mission is not only incomplete two years after it was set to be completed but on top of that, it is being shown as completed in official documents. The Haridwar district magistrate has also been provided incorrect information in this case.
An overhead water tank was to be constructed under the mission in the Ferupur village of Bahadrabad block of Haridwar district. Water supply lines to the entire village were also to be laid as part of the project. According to the contract, the work was to be completed by May 25, 2023 though later the deadline was extended to December 11, 2023. Despite this, the work has not been completed as of September 2025.
The water supply pipelines have not been laid in many parts of the village, causing major inconvenience to the villagers who are relying on water from the old dilapidated tank. The villagers alleged that the departmental executive engineer Vipin Chauhan submitted false information to the district magistrate Mayur Dixit stating that the project has been completed and that the scheme is fully functional. Additionally, on August 20 this year, Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan officials provided a certificate stating that the project is complete and functional.
Villager Manoj Kumar claimed that the work was to be completed in 2023 but even the construction of the overhead water tank has not been fully completed so far. “On what basis is Chauhan stating that the project has been completed and is functioning? This appears to be a clear case of corruption and a high level inquiry should be conducted in this matter,” he said.
The frustrated villagers have demanded from the district magistrate that an FIR should be lodged against corrupt officials and that they should also be suspended. The incomplete work should be completed without further delay. They warned of undertaking an agitation if the authorities do not take action against the officials responsible.
Meanwhile, the Haridwar district magistrate Mayur Dixit said that the matter has been brought to his notice. He said that he will get the entire matter probed by an official of another department. Strict action will be taken on the basis of the findings in the report, the district magistrate said.
