Clean drinking water reaches remote Chure settlements

By Janahari Khatri

Sarlahi, June 1 : Drinking water has been supplied to most remote settlements in the Chure region of Harion Municipality-1, Sarlahi. In villages where locals had long been compelled to depend on contaminated water from rivers and streams, drinking water is now provided through lift irrigation systems and solar-powered boreholes.

Ward Chairperson Tomba Bahadur Tamang stated that in the fiscal year 2025/26 alone, drinking water facilities have been extended to over 200 households across four settlements in Ward No.1 of Harion. According to him, ‘one house, one tap’ has been implemented in 36 households in Thami Tole, 30 households in Beldanda, 150 households in Bhokteni, and 13 households in Gamadi Kuna. 

Lift irrigation systems have been installed in Thami Tole and Beldanda, while solar-powered boreholes supply water to Bhokteni and Gamadi Kuna. The drinking water projects have been funded by the ward office, the municipality, the Madhes Provincial Government, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

Rashmila Bomjan, a local resident of Bilandi Danda, stated that having access to water at home has considerably simplified daily life. She remarked, “We no longer need to venture to rivers and streams to fetch water as we previously did.” During the winter season, water sources would often dry up, leading to significant shortages for residents. 

Water sources have been identified, and using solar and electrical systems, taps have been installed in these remote settlements. Ward Chairperson Tamang indicated that drinking water has already reached areas including Banmara Ghaari, Sakhubani, Kothi Khola, Beldanda, Bilandi Danda, Thami Tole, Kerabari, and Dumri Ghaari, all situated within the Chure belt of Ward-1. Water supply is yet to reach two settlements, Ganesh Mandir Danda, with 14-15 households, and Sanghuri Banjhyan, with 12-13 households. 

The ward plans to extend drinking water services to these areas in the upcoming year. He stated, “We have already achieved approximately 99 per cent coverage, with only about one per cent remaining. We aim to complete this next year.” He further added that the ward prioritises drinking water projects, as it is the most urgent need of the residents, and allocates a substantial portion of the annual budget to address this issue. In Sarlahi, including Harion, as well as in neighbouring municipalities such as Ishwarpur, Lalbandi, and Bagmati, communities within the Chure belt continue to face significant challenges concerning drinking water supply, road access, and communications.