Govt to install 914 hand pumps to boost rural water supply

Patna: In a major initiative to strengthen drinking water infrastructure, the public health engineering department (PHED) will install 914 new hand pumps across Bihar to improve access to safe drinking water in rural areas.Addressing a press conference on Thursday, PHED minister Sanjay Kumar Singh said the project would be funded through Rs 9 crore allocated by the disaster management department.Sanjay said that as of June 1, nearly 74,000 hand pumps across the state had been found non-functional. A phased repair and restoration drive is currently underway to ensure uninterrupted access to drinking water during the summer season and periods of water scarcity.Highlighting the roadmap under Jal Jeevan Mission-2, Sanjay said the govt plans to expand surface water-based multi-village water supply schemes in water-stressed regions. The mission will also focus on extending piped water supply to uncovered hamlets and habitations.Sharing details of a recent Jal Jeevan Mission-2 programme held in New Delhi, Sanjay said he held detailed discussions with Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil on strengthening access to safe and quality drinking water in Bihar. During the meeting, the state sought an allocation of Rs 18,894 crore under the mission to support these initiatives.PHED principal secretary Rajesh Kumar announced that around 70,000 maintenance workers engaged under the Har Ghar Nal Jal Yojana would receive honorarium payments through the panchayat secretary level.Special secretary Nityanand Prasad and other senior department officials were also present on the occasion.