A severe water shortage is currently being felt in the Awankhed Gram Panchayat limits of Igatpuri taluka in Nashik district. Schoolgirls, women and children have to trek through mountains for water.
"School-going children have to walk for water instead of carrying books. They have to descend three kilometres and quench their thirst with muddy water from a well. When the villagers tested the water in the well, it was found that the water was not drinkable," expressed Suvarna Madhe of the Elgar Kashtakari Sanghatana.
She further said that despite the proposal for a tanker on April 10, the tanker has not started yet. Due to the lack of water, it is time for the villagers to sell their animals, while the health of many is at risk due to contaminated water. The villagers have accused the public representatives and the administration of completely ignoring this serious problem. The villagers have also accused the administration, including Igatpuri MLA Hiraman Khoskar and Nashik MP Rajabhau Waje, of ignoring this serious problem.
"The water in the well tested by the villagers in Awankhed has been found to be unfit for drinking. This has put the health of many villagers at risk. Since even the animals are not getting water, many are preparing to sell their animals. Despite the proposal of tankers on April 10, the tankers have not started yet. This time of water shortage, even in areas like Awankhed, which receives a lot of rain, is proof of the lack of planning and inaction of the administration," claimed Madhe.
The villagers have demanded that measures be taken as soon as possible. There is a water shortage situation in many tribal villages in Igatpuri taluka, and life in rural areas has been disrupted.
