After the failure of several government projects to bring water to Pachhudrag village under Chhukha’s Phuentshogling Gewog, villagers have now resorted to electric water pumps. People are hoping to get better access to water but it comes at a cost. They are worried about the electricity bill for the water pumps which they fear will be quite high.
Pachhudrag Village in Phuentshogling Gewog is located on a hilltop above the Phuentshogling-Samtse highway. A villager recollects at least three projects in the past tried to draw water to the village but all went unsuccessful.
People here claim that despite huge investments, the water did not reach the village through those projects. Today, people here receive water only once a week from a small water source.
“There was a water project of almost Nu 1 M but it was unsuccessful. It is very difficult for us to get water here in our village. We don’t know how successful this mega project will be but none of the earlier water projects have been successful,” said Mon Bdr Mongar, a resident of Pachhudrag.
“Earlier, during occasions and rituals at home, we had to walk to a far distance to get water. If we went early in the morning, we got back by around 10. None of the government projects to bring water here have been successful. The water that we get once a week. And that’s the water the gewog worked on. But in winter, this water also dries up. We have to then go far away to get water,” said Anam Lepcha, another resident.
Today, there is a major water project going on initiated by the gewog. The gewog has identified a new reliable water source and almost 90 per cent of the works are completed. The project has constructed three stations and installed two water pumps to pump water to the village.
People here are looking forward to having sufficient water very soon. But they are also worried about the electricity bill for the use of water pumps. They said they might have to pay more than what they earn.
“We are also doubtful of the new mega water project. The water is going to be pumped and we are supposed to bear the electricity charges. Each household might have to pay Nu 1,000 monthly as an electricity bill. But we are still hoping for the project to be successful,” said Pendup Dorji Lepcha, a resident.
People shared the irony and dilemma of having to struggle in a country that has abundant water sources.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
