The village of Lahuriadah, located on hills in the Drammandganj area, Mirjapur district in Uttar Pradesh state, long suffered from a severe shortage of water. The residents of this village struggled for water even after gaining independence.
The total population of this mountain village is about 1500 people, and it has 100 houses. Previously, residents collected water from a spring near the mountain and had to queue; a family would only receive the right to water after three days.
During periods of intense heat, the water problem worsened, and the district administration organized water delivery by tankers. In this case, each person was given 15 liters of water for three days. To obtain water, local residents traveled five kilometers to springs under the mountains in Bhaisod Balai and Hanuman in Madhya Pradesh state. Due to water supply problems, weddings among the village youth ceased.
However, the situation has drastically changed thanks to the 'Water Supply to Every Home' program, implemented as part of the state's Water Security Mission. On August 31, 2023, water first reached the village from taps.
From that moment on, every house gained free access to water. Almost every house has a tap that supplies water in the morning and evening. Now, the villagers no longer have to fight for water in the forests and mountains.
Villagers note that there are no water problems today. They say: 'Open the tap, and the water will flow. Our ancestors fought hard for this water, but the government provided it to us. Water appeared during Yogi's rule.'
Sughari Devi, a resident of the village, recalls that they used to sleep near the mountain spring, and queues formed there day and night. She says: 'But today it is Yogi's gift; just open the tap, and the water flows.'
Chhama Devi, another resident, shares that when she got married and came here, she faced the problem of water scarcity. She had to walk far from the village to the mountain spring to cook food. Now, with a tap connected to the house, she has freedom, and water comes directly to her home.