SARLAHI: Residents of Bhokteni in Hariban Municipality, Sarlahi district, have expressed relief and happiness after drinking water taps were installed in individual households, ending decades of water scarcity.

People in Ward No. 1 of Hariban had long struggled to access safe drinking water. The situation became particularly severe during the dry season, when groundwater levels dropped and wells produced muddy water.

“Earlier, we had to depend on well water. As winter set in, the water level would gradually fall, and by March and April there were frequent disputes over muddy water,” said Kavita Kumari, a local resident. She added that having water directly in their homes has made daily life significantly easier.

Another resident, Kulsum Khatun, recalled how women and children were forced to queue and quarrel at wells every day during winter months. “Now, water comes to our homes twice a day, in the morning and evening. It has brought great convenience,” she said.

Khatun also remembered that when she came to the village after marriage, women and children had to walk as far as the foothills of the Chure range just to fetch a single pitcher of water.

For many, memories of being denied access to wells dug by wealthier villagers remain vivid. Although more than 52 small and large wells had been dug for around 200 households in the area, most began to dry up in recent years, pushing the village deeper into crisis.

Following persistent hardship, a drinking water project was launched in 2022. According to Mukesh Sah, chairperson of the Atrauli Drinking Water and Sanitation Users’ Committee, the project was completed at a cost of 7.2 million rupees 3.5 million from the ward office and 3.7 million from the constituency development fund of Madhesh Provincial Assembly member Jawaharlal Kushwaha.

“At present, water is extracted through a deep boring system and supplied directly to households twice a day,” Sah said. He added that laboratory tests showed the water to be safe for consumption, allowing immediate distribution. However, he stressed that long term sustainability would require significant additional investment, including the construction of an overhead tank and supporting infrastructure.

To support the project, local residents donated land. Ward chairperson Tombahadur Ghising said three kathas of land were provided two by Harinarayan Thakur and one by ward member Udayanarayan Thakur.

“This initiative was taken after years of complaints and suffering faced by local people due to water shortages,” Ghising said. He added that electricity lines were extended, a transformer installed, and a 500 foot deep borehole drilled using the ward’s budget to provide immediate relief.

Out of 200 households, 155 have already been connected to the water supply, with the remaining homes in the process of installation, according to project officials. The long-term plan is to extend the service to Bhokteni and surrounding villages, ensuring reliable access to drinking water for the wider community.