34 broken handpumps, one collective effort: How Bajna villages found relief in the summer heat

By Vikas Meshram* 

As the scorching summer of 2026 tightened its grip on the villages of Bajna block in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, the struggle for drinking water became an everyday battle. Across 18 villages, 34 handpumps had remained non-functional for months, leaving hundreds of families with no reliable source of water. Women walked several kilometres each day carrying heavy pots, while farmers lost valuable working hours searching for water instead of tending their fields. Livestock also suffered, compounding the hardships of rural life.

What began as a deepening crisis, however, soon became a remarkable example of how community mobilisation and responsive governance can work together to solve pressing public problems.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Krishi evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, Bajna, a people's organisation promoted under Vaagdhara, decided to act. Rather than merely forwarding complaints, Sangathan members undertook a systematic survey across the affected villages. They inspected every damaged handpump, documented the nature of each fault—from missing pipes to worn-out components—and prepared a comprehensive village-wise report identifying all non-functional handpumps.

Armed with detailed evidence, the organisation submitted a memorandum on 24 April 2026 to Manish Bhanwar, Chief Executive Officer of Janpad Panchayat Bajna, urging immediate repairs and a long-term solution to the worsening drinking water crisis.

The delegation comprised Sangathan office-bearers Shankarlal Maida, Lalu Hada, Maniram Damor, Shantilal, Kalibai, Rakhiya, Anjana, Kailash Bhuj, and Govind Ninama, along with Vaagdhara Block Facilitators Renuka Porwal and Mohan Bhuria. They assured the administration of their full cooperation and committed themselves to continuous follow-up until the issue was resolved.

Their persistence soon yielded results.

Recognising the urgency of the crisis, CEO Manish Bhanwar directed the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) to take immediate action.

"The drinking water crisis facing our villagers is our top priority. The survey and memorandum submitted by the organisation enabled us to understand the scale of the problem quickly. We instructed the department to repair every non-functional handpump so that people could find relief from the intense summer heat," he said.

Following these instructions, PHED technical teams visited the identified villages and began repair work without delay. Handpumps with minor faults were restored immediately, while those requiring replacement pipes and spare parts were repaired after the necessary materials were supplied.

In total, 29 of the 34 damaged handpumps were repaired and made operational, restoring drinking water to thousands of villagers and providing much-needed relief to livestock as well.

The impact was immediate and deeply felt.

"We had struggled with this problem for years and submitted several complaints, but nothing changed," said Shankarlal Maida from Bhuri Ghati village. "This time the Sangathan carried our voice to the administration, and the administration responded quickly. Our handpump is working again, and we no longer have to travel long distances for water."

Lalu Hada of Talinkheda village echoed the sentiment.

"The hardship faced by our women has finally ended. With the handpump functioning again, our families have found real relief. We are grateful to both the organisation and the administration."

For villagers, the campaign demonstrated the power of collective action.

"The workers visited every household, understood our problems firsthand, and presented them effectively before the administration," said Kailash Bhuj from Mewasa village. "When people organise themselves and raise their concerns together, the administration does respond."

In Halewada, Laxmibai Charpota summed up the transformation simply.

"There were days when every drop of water mattered. Now the handpump is working again, and life has returned to normal."

The campaign drew active participation from community representatives including Ramesh Ninama (Jambulia), Prabhu Katara (Sajjangarh), Raju Maheda (Hatli), Onkar Devda (Devda), Hawadi Damor, Ishwarlal Khadia, and Jeetu, among many others, all of whom acknowledged the administration's prompt response.

The initiative also highlighted the importance of evidence-based advocacy. Instead of relying solely on repeated complaints, Sangathan members conducted a detailed field survey that enabled officials to clearly understand the extent of the crisis and prioritise action accordingly.

"Our handpump had remained closed for months," said Ramesh Maida of Talinkheda. "Not only our families but even our cattle suffered because of the shortage of water. That problem has finally been resolved."

From Bhojpura, Keharig Maida noted that women no longer needed to undertake exhausting daily journeys in search of water. Similar appreciation came from Champabai Kharadi of Kharadisera, Daulat Singh Katara of Bhojpura, and Shantilal Bhuria of Rampuriya, who said the campaign had restored villagers' faith that their concerns would finally be heard.

Many others—including Meerabai Charpota (Bhojpura), Govind Ninama (Kundal), Kavita Ninama (Rehatkua), Sugna Katara (Chhavnijodia), Kalibai Dodiyar (Makanpura), Dariya Munia and Gajendra Charpota (Bagli), and Gautam Bhabhor (Rajapura)—expressed hope that the Sangathan would continue advocating for essential public services with the same commitment.

Beyond repairing handpumps, the initiative established an important lesson in democratic participation. It showed that organised communities, backed by credible evidence and constructive engagement, can work effectively with public institutions to address local challenges. Equally, it demonstrated how responsive governance can convert citizens' concerns into timely administrative action.

For the people of Bajna, the restoration of water supply was more than an infrastructure repair—it was the return of dignity, time, and hope. Families regained precious hours previously spent fetching water, farmers could return their attention to their fields, and livestock once again had dependable access to drinking water.

The experience stands as a compelling model of collaborative governance, illustrating how grassroots organisations and government institutions can complement one another in delivering meaningful change. The restoration of water to 18 villages in Bajna is not merely a story of repaired handpumps; it is a testament to the transformative power of community participation, administrative responsiveness, and collective resolve.

As climate challenges continue to intensify across rural India, the Bajna experience offers an inspiring reminder that sustainable solutions often begin with organised citizens, evidence-based advocacy, and a government willing to listen and act.

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*Contact: vikasmeshram04@gmail.com