In a powerful example of self-reliance, the residents of Sagakiari, a remote village in Ganjam district, Odisha, have taken matters into their own hands to end a long-standing drinking water crisis that the government failed to resolve for years.
A Village Struggling Without a Basic Water Supply
Sagakiari is a small tribal village under the Saba panchayat in the Dharakot block, home to more than 30 families and over 100 residents. For years, these villagers survived with just one tubewell, which barely produced 3 to 4 pots of water per day — an impossible amount to sustain multiple households, especially in the summer.
Government Promises, No Results
Despite repeated appeals and complaints to government departments, no effective solution came. The authorities claimed they had already provided water facilities, but in reality, no new tubewell was constructed and no pipeline was laid. The lack of motorable roads in the area was cited as a major reason for inaction.
“They said they had provided water, but we never received it. Nothing changed,” said Basumati Raita, a resident of the village.
The People Step Up: A 4-Km Pipeline Through Hills and Forest
Tired of waiting, the villagers decided to solve the problem on their own. They identified a nearby hill stream, around 4 kilometres away, as their only reliable water source. With contributions from every household, they collected funds to buy pipes and physically laid them across hilly and forested terrain — a task that required both effort and teamwork.
“We collected money from each family and installed the pipes ourselves,” shared Shriya Dalbehera, one of the villagers.
Now, water from the hill stream flows through the pipe into the village. While only one of the two pipelines is currently functional due to limited stream flow, the project has significantly eased the villagers’ daily struggle.
“Earlier, we used to walk 4 km to fetch water. Now, we finally have a supply line, even if it’s limited,” said Abhiram Dalbehera, another local.
New Hope With Road Construction Underway
The Dharakot Block Development Officer (BDO), Denis Behera, acknowledged the issue. He explained that government action was delayed due to the lack of a proper road to the village. However, he confirmed that road construction is now in progress under the Rural Development Department.
“Once the roads are complete, we plan to install solar-powered drinking water systems to ensure a permanent solution,” BDO Behera assured.
