Jaipur, April 10: Sundra village, located on the India-Pakistan international border in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, has witnessed a historic transformation. For the first time since Independence, every household in this remote desert village is receiving clean drinking water through tap connections. More than just a water supply milestone, the development marks the end of decades of hardship and the beginning of a new chapter of hope.
A centuries-old village long deprived of basic amenities
Established in 1734, Sundra was once considered one of the country’s largest gram panchayats by area, spread across nearly 1,345 square kilometres. Situated around 170 kilometres from the Barmer district headquarters, the village has long struggled with acute drinking water scarcity.
The groundwater in the area was so saline that even livestock avoided consuming it. Government-installed tubewells also failed to provide relief. As a result, residents were forced to fetch water from villages located 15–20 kilometres away, making access to drinking water a daily challenge.
Burden of war and displacement
The people of Sundra have also endured historic disruptions. During the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, the border village had to be evacuated, adding displacement and insecurity to its long list of struggles.
Narmada water project turns the impossible into reality
The region’s biggest challenge—safe drinking water—has now been addressed through the Narmada canal-based drinking water project. Starting from the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Narmada water has travelled an extraordinary 728 kilometres to finally reach Sundra.
The ambitious project, built at an estimated cost of ₹513 crore, includes:
- Drinking water supply coverage for more than 200 villages
- Construction of 16 major Clear Water Reservoirs (CWRs)
- Installation of multiple pumping stations
- Development of 80+ elevated service reservoirs
Despite major challenges such as laying pipelines across towering sand dunes, electricity shortages, and security restrictions in the border region, the project was completed successfully.
A dream realised for generations
For the people of Sundra, the arrival of sweet water at their doorstep is nothing short of miraculous. Elderly women in their 80s have reportedly seen a household tap with clean water for the first time in their lives.
