Madalapura denied basic facilities

Decade-long wait for water continues as appeals fall on deaf ears, say village residents

The people of Madalapura, in the limits of Nerugalale Gram Panchayat, have been waiting for long to receive appropriate response from the elected representatives and officials concerned for their woes. 

The people of Madalapura have been struggling for drinking water for a decade. There are 30 families in the village, most of which are of daily wage labourers belonging to Scheduled Tribes. 

The residents pointed out that the road which was constructed in the tribal hamlet is of poor quality. “Apart from this, no work has been done. Four years have passed after the water storage tank was constructed. But no water is supplied to the tank. Also, the pipeline work has been incomplete,” they complained.

The families are dependent on an open well in a field close to the tribal hamlet. In summer, the water in the well goes dry and the people have to sink holes in the ground at Kakkehole, which is half kilometre away, collect water from there and carry it all the way to Madalapura.

People say that they have been neglected as they are not a politically strong group. Many families do not have a safe roof and most of the houses are in dilapidated condition. The women belonging to ST said they are the worst affected by the scarcity of water.

“A proposal has been submitted to the Zilla Panchayat to provide funds for drinking water and housing for economically unprivileged. But, only assurances are being heard during the last four years,” said Jenukurubara Changappa. The elected representatives have failed to provide basic facilities to the people, Changappa added. 

Social Welfare Development Department Assistant Director Ramegowda said that a proposal of Rs five lakh has been submitted for the supply of drinking water to Madalapura and the project has been sanctioned. Accordingly, borewells will be dug, pipeline will be laid and a water tank will be constructed.