For the people of Sundra village, located near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, access to clean drinking water was a distant dream. That dream became a reality with the arrival of a single tap, bringing water from hundreds of kilometers away. This remarkable feat, achieved under the Jal Jeevan Mission, has transformed the lives of villagers who once struggled for every drop.
- Villagers now have access to clean water through a community tap.
- The water is sourced from the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat.
- The project overcame logistical challenges like the desert terrain and shifting sand dunes.
- The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped water to every household in India.
A Lifeline in the Desert
Sundra village, situated 50 km from the India-Pakistan border, faced a chronic water shortage for decades. The 1965 war destroyed the existing wells, leaving the community reliant on saline tubewells or a grueling 10 km trek to the nearest source of sweet water.
From Saline to Sweet: A Transformation
“We used to use saline water earlier. The only way to get sweet potable water was to store rainwater,” recalls Jetharam, a villager. The new tap, while providing water for only a few hours a week, has significantly eased their burden.
Engineering Marvel: Bringing Water Across the Desert
The project involved laying pipelines across the challenging desert landscape, battling shifting sand dunes and extreme temperatures. The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River, located hundreds of kilometers away in Gujarat, was chosen as the water source. This ambitious undertaking required significant investment and engineering ingenuity.
Jal Jeevan Mission: A National Endeavor
The Sundra village project is part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, a government initiative to provide safe and affordable piped water to all rural households in India by 2024. With a budget exceeding Rs 500 crore, the mission has targeted 250 villages in the border districts of Jaisalmer and Barmer.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Water Security
“It took us one year to lay the pipelines,” explains Sonaram Beniwal, a senior engineer. By March 2025, the project aims to reach all targeted villages, ensuring a sustainable water supply for border communities. The Jal Jeevan Mission’s success in Sundra signifies a brighter future for rural India.
Impact on Daily Life
The availability of clean water has brought tangible improvements to the villagers’ lives. Household chores are easier, health has improved, and children have more time for education. The community tap has become a symbol of hope and progress in this remote desert village.
Beyond Sundra: Expanding Access to Water
The success of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Sundra serves as a model for other water-stressed regions in India. The project’s innovative approach to overcoming logistical challenges offers valuable lessons for future initiatives aimed at providing water security for all.