Rajasthan's tribal villagers lead the way: Bijlpur’s journey to tap water access

By Vikas Meshram

The implementation of government schemes in rural areas is often hindered by technical shortcomings and administrative complexities. Ambitious programmes like the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aim to deliver clean drinking water to every household, frequently get stuck in paperwork and procedural delays. However, when villagers become aware of their rights and responsibilities, they often find solutions through collective initiative. Bijlpur, a tribal-dominated village in Rajasthan’s Banswara district, stands as an example of such public awareness and determination.

Bijlpur village, under the Bijodi Badi Gram Panchayat and located nearly 60 kilometres from the district headquarters, has long remained isolated from mainstream development due to its remote location. The residents have faced an acute shortage of water for years. People were compelled to travel long distances in search of water, and this scarcity affected not only daily routines but also the social fabric of the village. In these challenging circumstances, the villagers decided to address their problems collectively.

The Jal Jeevan Mission’s “Har Ghar Nal” scheme for Bijlpur was not receiving approval for reasons unknown. The villagers approached the Gram Panchayat, the Sarpanch, and the Gram Vikas Adhikari several times, expressing their hardships and the urgency of the situation. Each effort, however, ended in disappointment. The turning point came with the intervention of the Gram Swaraj Group.

Lalaram Mangu Katara, president of the Gram Swaraj Group formed by the Vaagdhara organisation, closely observed the situation in Bijlpur and resolved to initiate the Jal Jeevan Mission work at any cost. He first organised a meeting with villagers to discuss their problems in detail. While water scarcity was a major concern, the meeting focused not merely on lamenting the difficulties but on taking concrete steps towards resolving them.

A decisive meeting of the Gram Swaraj Group was held in June, in which members agreed to formally inform the administration through a memorandum and demand the implementation of the “Har Ghar Nal” scheme. This resolution was part of a well-planned strategy rather than a symbolic gesture.

The group soon found an opportunity to present their demand before the administration. When the Naib Tehsildar visited the “Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Relief Camp” in the Bijodi Badi Gram Panchayat area, the Gram Swaraj Group submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the village’s actual conditions, the severity of water scarcity, and the urgent need for the Jal Jeevan Mission in Bijlpur.

Submitting the memorandum was only the beginning. The real challenge lay in sustained follow-up. Lalaram Mangu Katara and the group made this their priority. They regularly contacted officials, reiterated their demands, and provided clear accounts of the villagers’ difficulties. They also repeatedly requested the Naib Tehsildar to visit Bijlpur for an on-ground assessment of the situation.

Their persistent efforts paid off. The Naib Tehsildar recognised the seriousness of the issue and instructed the officials of Banswara’s Water Supply Department to verify whether Bijlpur had indeed been excluded from the scheme. Department officials visited the village and saw firsthand the extent of the water crisis. Their inspection confirmed that Bijlpur was severely deprived of water resources and that the people were struggling for even basic access to drinking water.

Following verification, the administrative process gained momentum. The Jal Jeevan Mission’s “Har Ghar Nal” scheme was finally approved for an 8-kilometre work area in Bijlpur. Work on laying pipelines and providing tap connections soon began. A wave of relief and joy swept through the village. People who had wandered for years in search of water now began hoping for clean drinking water at their doorstep. It marked not just the implementation of a government scheme but the beginning of a new chapter for Bijlpur.

With improved water access, daily life became easier. Women were freed from the long and exhausting journeys to fetch water, children gained access to safe drinking water, and household tasks became less burdensome. A sense of dignity and stability returned to the village.

Badami Lal, a member of the Gram Swaraj Group, says that after associating with Vaagdhara, he began engaging in village-level work with new awareness. The Gram Swaraj Group empowers rural communities, makes them aware of their rights, and motivates them towards collective development. Its objective extends beyond implementing schemes to ensuring the overall development of the village, addressing social issues, and engaging with stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.

The structure of the Gram Swaraj Group is democratic and inclusive. Ten men and ten women from each village are included, ensuring women’s equal participation and representation. The group holds monthly meetings to discuss issues, development plans, and government programmes. Through Gram Chaupal gatherings, it promotes equality, development, and self-governance, offering a platform where every individual can express their views and contribute to decisions.

Lalaram Mangu Katara emphasises that while the commencement of the Jal Jeevan Mission work is a major achievement, the journey does not end here. The group will continue working to ensure that villagers receive timely solutions to emerging problems and move towards self-reliance. They plan to push for improvements in roads, electricity, health, and education, create employment opportunities through schemes like MGNREGA, mobilise resources for agriculture, and strengthen the rural economy.

The story of Bijlpur shows that when people unite, become aware of their rights, and pursue their demands with determination, obstacles cannot stop them. People like Lalaram Mangu Katara have provided direction and leadership, proving that constructive leadership plays a vital role in societal change. The experience of Bijlpur is not the end but the beginning of new possibilities. With the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, new doors of development have opened. The story sends a strong message: change is possible when courage, organisation, and continuous effort come together. Bijlpur has shown that when people awaken, new paths emerge.