In a major push to tackle drinking water scarcity in the remote forested pockets of Surguja district, the Chhattisgarh government has approved the installation of 113 new handpumps and borewells in villages inhabited largely by Pahadi Korwa families, one of the country’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The initiative comes following directions issued by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai during his recent visit to Surguja, where the issue of acute drinking water shortage in interior hill settlements was brought to his attention.
Government officials said improving access to essential services in remote tribal regions remains a priority, particularly in settlements that continue to face geographical isolation and difficult living conditions.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, Surguja Collector and District Mineral Foundation (DMF) chairman Ajit Vasant directed officials to complete the entire exercise within one month. Departments concerned and Janpad Panchayat Chief Executive Officers have been instructed to monitor the work closely and ensure that all approved sites are completed within the stipulated time.
Officials said that surveys at all proposed locations have already been completed. The project will be funded through the District Mineral Foundation fund. Among the seven development blocks identified for the work, Lundra will receive the highest number of installations with 34 handpumps and borewells. Lakhanpur will get 22, Mainpat 20, Sitapur 16, Ambikapur 11, Batauli six and Udaipur four.
The proposal was cleared during a meeting of the District Mineral Foundation governing council held on April 24. Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Lundra MLA Prabodh Minj and other members supported the proposal and recommended that the work be taken up on priority.
For many villages in the hilly forest belt, access to drinking water remains a daily struggle, especially during the summer months. In several areas, families still rely on seasonal streams, natural springs and distant water points.