Gujarat Villagers Remain Without Promised Tap Water Following Massive Rs 123 Crore Scam
Residents across numerous villages in Gujarat continue to face severe water shortages, still waiting for the promised tap water connections under the central government's flagship Nal Se Jal scheme. This prolonged delay comes in the aftermath of a shocking Rs 123 crore financial scam that came to light in 2023, affecting approximately 620 villages across the state.
Investigation Uncovers Widespread Corruption and Substandard Work
Following an extensive internal probe, the Water Supply and Management Organisation (WASMO) of the Gujarat state government filed a formal case in June 2024. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of corruption where contractors, allegedly in collusion with WASMO officials, executed substandard construction work, left numerous projects incomplete, and manipulated official documents to falsely indicate that all work had been completed according to required specifications.
Mahisagar unit manager Girish Agola provided a sobering assessment of the current situation. While water supply has commenced in some villages, a staggering 185 villages remain completely without any water supply. Additionally, only partial areas within approximately 200 other villages receive water due to the incomplete nature of the infrastructure projects.
Residents Describe Ongoing Hardships and Limited Access
Local residents have reported that even in villages where some water supply exists, distribution remains severely limited to small, specific areas, leaving the majority of households without access to this essential resource.
"Water is being supplied only to the Patel Falia, which represents just a small portion of our village. Most homes in Kadibel village do not receive any water under the scheme," explained Mayur Malik, a resident of Kadibel village in Mahisagar district.
Similarly, Raman Dabhi from Bhuvabar village described the frustrating situation where a water sump constructed under the scheme stands merely 300 meters from his home, yet water has never reached his area. Dabhi, who played a crucial role in exposing the scam, confirmed that this pattern of incomplete service delivery extends to surrounding villages as well.
Recovery Efforts and Pending Work Estimated at Rs 46 Crore
WASMO has prepared detailed estimates to complete the pending work, with costs pegged at approximately Rs 46 crore. The organization has already recovered around Rs 20 crore from the contractors involved in the fraudulent activities. According to Agola, the remaining work will be executed in carefully planned phases to ensure that water supply eventually reaches all affected households.
Criminal Investigation Progresses with Multiple Arrests
The CID (crime) branch of the Gujarat state police is actively investigating the multi-crore scam. Law enforcement authorities have made significant progress, with 24 individuals arrested so far and chargesheets filed against 10 accused in two separate cases. Officials have indicated that additional arrests may follow as documents related to supplementary works remain under detailed scrutiny.
The ongoing investigation continues to uncover the extent of the fraud, while affected villagers maintain their vigil for the basic water access they were promised years ago under the national drinking water initiative.
