Patna: In response to an alarming drop in groundwater levels across Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Darbhanga and Jhanjharpur, the Bihar government has launched an extensive drive to restore and enhance drinking water facilities in the Mithila region.
The Public Health Engineering Department has approved the installation of 528 new hand pumps across the affected districts. Special technical teams from the state headquarters have been deployed on the ground to oversee the restoration of supply systems and monitor water availability at the local level.
Between Thursday and Friday, 289 previously defunct water supply schemes were repaired and restarted. Over 110 hand pumps underwent structural upgrades, with their depths increased to access deeper water reserves.
Neeraj Kumar Singh, Bihar’s Minister for Public Health Engineering, stated that the government has instructed officials to implement alternative arrangements promptly wherever water levels fall below 20 feet.
In Sitamarhi district, 58 water schemes were revived and 76 hand pumps repaired, while the depth of 85 hand pumps was increased. Additionally, four water tankers have been deployed to serve the population. These measures are expected to benefit around 80 panchayats in the district.
In Jhanjharpur, 12 schemes were restarted and the depth of seven hand pumps enhanced, benefiting 18 panchayats. Darbhanga saw the revival of 209 water schemes and upgrades to 10 hand pumps, while approval was granted for 200 new hand pumps and deployment of six tankers, supporting 37 panchayats.
Meanwhile, Madhubani recorded eight transformation works and received approval for 90 new hand pumps and two tankers. These interventions are projected to support 44 panchayats in the district.
