Major Cracks in Newly Built Water Tank Spark Corruption Storm in Mahoba
A recently constructed overhead water tank under the central government's flagship Jal Jeevan Mission in Nagardang village, located in the Jaitpur block of Mahoba district within the Bundelkhand region, has developed significant structural cracks, resulting in substantial water leakage. This incident has ignited serious allegations of fund misappropriation during the tank's construction and raised fears among local residents about a potential catastrophic collapse due to substandard workmanship.
Construction Timeline and Political Context
According to villagers, the water tank was originally built in 2025 under the Jal Jeevan Mission but remained unused and idle for an extended period. The project recently regained momentum following a heated public exchange between Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and Charkhari MLA Brijbhushan Rajput concerning deteriorating water supply infrastructure and poor road conditions in the area.
Leakage Incident and Immediate Fallout
On Friday, the tank was finally filled with water for testing purposes. Merely a day later, on Saturday, massive leakage was observed, with water visibly receding from multiple sections of the tank wall. A video documenting the incident quickly went viral on social media platforms, amplifying public outrage. The Gram Pradhan formally lodged a complaint, causing significant embarrassment for the local administration and prompting immediate repair work at the site.
Administrative Response and Investigation
In response to the crisis, District Magistrate Ghazal Bharadwaj of Mahoba has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. The committee includes ADM Namami Gange Moin Islam, the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), and the Executive Engineer of the Maudaha Dam. This panel has been directed to submit a detailed report within seven days, with ADM Islam confirming that the administration is treating the issue with utmost seriousness.
Political Reactions and Corruption Allegations
MLA Brijbhushan Rajput, under whose constituency the leakage occurred, has strongly reiterated his claims of gross negligence and large-scale corruption in the construction process. He demanded stringent action against those responsible, stating, "The leakage in the water tank is a live demonstration of the amount of corruption, and it is high time action is taken against those responsible for such acts."
Adding to the political firestorm, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter), leveling serious corruption allegations and questioning whether authorities would take decisive action. He tweeted critically, "Yeh jal mission nahi, commission mission hai" (This is not a water mission but a commission mission), directly challenging the integrity of the project's implementation.
Broader Implications and Public Concern
The incident has cast a shadow over the Jal Jeevan Mission's execution in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region, where reliable water infrastructure is critically needed. Villagers now express heightened anxiety about the structural safety of the tank, fearing it could collapse entirely and cause accidents. The episode underscores ongoing concerns about quality control and transparency in public works projects, particularly those funded under national missions aimed at improving essential services like water supply.
