A long-standing drinking water crisis at Nilganj Primary School in Chandrakona has been temporarily resolved, not through routine administration, but during preparations for the recent assembly elections. The issue came to light when the school was selected as a polling station for the first phase of voting on April 23.
The school, which has 48 students and three teachers, had no permanent drinking water facility. For years, both students and staff depended on a nearby village's Sajal Dhara pump for drinking water and for cooking mid-day meals. The situation became especially difficult during the summer months.
Poll preparations expose water crisis
According to school sources, the problem surfaced when officials inspected arrangements for polling personnel who were to stay at the school. During this inspection, the lack of a reliable water source was flagged.
Also Read | Kolkata braces for rain, thunderstorms as Bengal awaits election results
Following this, the block administration arranged a direct pipeline connection from the village's Sajal Dhara pump to the school. This ensured immediate access to water for both election duty staff and the school community.
Officials said such issues were addressed on priority in schools identified as polling stations.
Temporary relief, demand for permanent solution
Despite the relief, school authorities say the solution is not permanent. The Sajal Dhara pump, which now supplies water through the pipeline, is not always functional.
The teacher-in-charge said, "There has been a severe drinking water shortage for a long time. We had to depend on a nearby village pump, which was not sufficient. We had written to authorities requesting a submersible pump. Now, due to election arrangements, the problem has been temporarily addressed. But a permanent solution is still needed."
Also Read | India-Bhutan, Bangladesh borders shut before vote counting to maintain law and order
A school cook also described the earlier situation, saying, "We faced major difficulties in arranging water for cooking. Water had to be carried and stored in the tank. Now we are getting clean water through the tap. The elections brought relief in this heat."
Block Development Officer Utpal Paik said, "Before the elections, infrastructure issues in several schools used as polling stations were addressed. Drinking water problems were resolved wherever required, including at Nilganj Primary School."
While the immediate crisis has eased, the school continues to seek a dedicated water source to avoid recurring shortages.
