The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) of Bihar has announced a major initiative to strengthen drinking water infrastructure in rural areas. A total of 914 new hand pumps will be installed across the state, funded through Rs 9 crore allocated by the disaster management department.
PHED Minister's Announcement
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, PHED minister Sanjay Kumar Singh revealed the project details. He stated that as of June 1, nearly 74,000 hand pumps across Bihar were 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.
Jal Jeevan Mission-2 Roadmap
Highlighting the roadmap under Jal Jeevan Mission-2, Singh said the government 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, Singh mentioned that 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.
Maintenance Workers' Honorarium
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.
This initiative marks a significant step towards improving water access in rural Bihar, addressing both immediate needs through hand pumps and long-term solutions via piped water schemes.
