BHOR: The Vinzar Gram Panchayat in Velhe Tehsil has successfully completed its initiative to provide clean and pure drinking water through ‘filters’ to every household in the village, free of cost. Sarpanch Monali Limhan claims that this is the first Gram Panchayat not just in Velhe Tehsil but in the entire district to provide filtered water to its entire population. Furthermore, at the beginning of this summer, in April, the villagers were provided with cold drinking water. For this, the Gram Panchayat constructed a new chiller plant at a cost of approximately one lakh rupees using funds from the 15th Finance Commission. This plant includes a 1,000-liter tank, ensuring 24-hour water supply.
Last year, the Rotary Club of Pune installed a clean and pure water project at the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat then used various funds to install filters at four other locations. Limhan is confident that since the filtered water initiative began, the incidence of diseases among villagers has decreased, and monsoon-related illnesses will also be curbed. Villagers including Neelubhau Bhosle, Rajabhau Limhan, Vinayak Limhan, Rahul Sagar, Sachin Bhosle, Tanaji Bhosle, and Shivaji Limhan cooperated in this initiative.
Extensive Coverage and Water Source
The village is spread across five hamlets: Gavthan, Vitthalwadi, Waghjaimala Dhangar Basti, Siddharthnagar, and Bhurukwadi. Approximately 600 families reside here, with a population of two thousand. Now, all these locations receive filtered water. The Kanandi River flows near the village. The Gram Panchayat has dug a well about 60 feet deep in the riverbed for drinking water. Water from the Gunjavani Dam flows into the river throughout the year, ensuring the well always has ample water. As a result, people have tap water available in their homes. Some residents have even used the leftover water for their vegetable gardens.
‘Prepaid ATM’ Water Cards for Sustainability
The filter project has been successful. To cover electricity bills and maintenance costs, the Gram Panchayat has issued prepaid water ATM cards. These cards can be obtained from the Gram Panchayat for five hundred rupees and then recharged. Each location has a scanner installed where users can place their card to receive eight liters of water at a time. On average, a five hundred rupee recharge provides enough water for each family for three months. Once the balance runs out, the card needs to be recharged again.
With everyone’s cooperation, most public and welfare works in the village have been completed. The installation of filters in various places has reduced diseases among the people, and monsoon-related illnesses will also be curbed.”
– Monali Limhan, Sarpanch
