Major Push to Resolve Drinking Water Crisis in Remote and Hilly Villages
Collector Gives Instructions to Ensure Completion of Works Within One Month
Raipur, May 7, 2026/ In a significant step towards ensuring permanent relief from drinking water scarcity in remote and hilly Korwa settlements of Surguja district, the administration has undertaken the work of digging 113 handpumps and borewells across the region. The initiative would ease the long-standing hardship faced by villagers who have been dependent on traditional water sources for their daily needs.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai had taken serious note of the drinking water problems prevailing in Surguja district and instructed the district administration to initiate immediate and effective action. Chief Minister Shri Sai had emphasised that people residing in remote forest and tribal regions should not remain deprived of basic amenities. He had further underlined that ensuring the benefits of government welfare schemes, especially essential services, reach the last person remains the government’s highest priority.
Acting promptly on the Chief Minister’s directives, Surguja Collector and District Mineral Foundation Trust Chairman Shri Ajit Vasant has instructed the concerned departments to complete all 113 handpump and borewell works within one month.
The Collector informed that the ground-level survey for the proposed works has already been completed. Under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund, 113 handpump and borewell excavation works will be carried out in various development blocks, including 34 in Lundra, 22 in Lakhanpur, 20 in Mainpat, 16 in Sitapur, 11 in Ambikapur, 6 in Batauli, and 4 in Udaipur.
The proposal received approval during the Governing Council meeting of the District Mineral Foundation Trust held on April 24, in the presence of Tourism Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Lundra MLA Shri Prabodh Minj and other members.
The Collector has also directed all Janpad Panchayat Chief Executive Officers to ensure speedy execution of handpump and borewell excavation works on priority so that a long-term drinking water arrangement can be established in these remote and hilly Korwa habitations within the stipulated timeframe.
The sensitive and proactive initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai is expected to bring substantial relief to thousands of residents across hundreds of villages in the remote forested regions of the district, where the drinking water crisis has persisted for years.