Salboni women block highway as pipelines run dry for 3 years despite water project

Women of Salboni village in Bankura Block 2 blocked the Bankura–Purulia State Highway on Tuesday morning, protesting the non-functional piped water supply system in their area. Carrying empty utensils, the protestors staged a road blockade at Salboni crossing, demanding access to clean drinking water. The protest disrupted vehicular movement on the state highway for several hours before officials arrived and assured action.

Three years ago, the Public Health Engineering Department laid pipelines across Salboni and installed taps in each household as part of a drinking water supply project. However, locals report that not a single drop of water has come through those taps since installation. Despite the infrastructure being in place, the system has remained dry. The area has several tube wells, but villagers claim that the water is not suitable for drinking.

As summer sets in, the demand for safe drinking water in the village has increased significantly. Residents are forced to walk nearly two kilometres daily to fetch drinking water from distant sources. Protestors said they had raised the issue multiple times but received no response. With no visible progress or alternate solution provided, local women organized the protest demanding immediate supply through the existing pipeline system.