Chomu (Jaipur District, Rajasthan)
Residents of Ashok Vihar Colony in Chomu Tehsil of Jaipur district are facing severe hardship after unidentified anti-social elements twice vandalized a public water tap attached to a government borewell, disrupting the water supply for several households and a local Shiva temple.
Ramesh Kumar Rawat, a resident of Ashok Vihar currently working in Gangtok, Sikkim, lodged a complaint via email with Chomu Police Station SHO Harmendra Singh. In his complaint, he requested that the culprits be identified and strict action be taken against them. He also spoke with the SHO over the phone and urged the police to increase night patrols in the area to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The damaged tap serves as the only source of drinking water for several families in the colony who do not have a regular water connection at home. It is also the primary water source for the local Shiva temple, where water is required daily for worship rituals, cleaning, and religious activities. Residents say that whenever the tap is damaged, they are forced to arrange water through private tankers, resulting in additional financial burden.
Assistant Engineer (AEN) of the Water Supply Department, Sunil Kumawat, stated that while public taps have been installed on several government borewells across Chomu, this is the first reported case in which a tap has been repeatedly vandalized. He strongly condemned the act and described it as a serious attack on public welfare.
Several residents, including Dinesh Agarwal (Khema Wala), Devki Nandan Agarwal, and Bhuvnesh Tiwari, State President of the Viraj Foundation, have also expressed strong condemnation of the incident. They emphasized that damaging a public water facility not only affects local residents but also disrupts essential community and religious services.
Following the complaint, a Head Constable from Chomu Police Station deputed a constable to inspect the site and examine CCTV footage from nearby locations. However, since the borewell area was not covered by surveillance cameras, the identity of the miscreants could not be established.
According to local residents, the public tap had originally been installed at the government borewell on the request of Ramesh Kumar Rawat, following approval from the Water Supply Department. The entire installation cost was borne by Rawat and his family in the larger public interest. After the tap was vandalized the first time, the family reinstalled it at their own expense. When it was damaged again, they once more took the initiative to restore the facility, ensuring continued access to drinking water for local residents.
Residents have appealed to the authorities to strengthen surveillance around public infrastructure, increase police patrols, and take immediate steps to prevent further vandalism.
“Water is life and an essential public service. Damaging a public drinking water facility is a condemnable act that directly affects the welfare of innocent citizens,” local residents said.
Bureau Report
Gujarat Pravasi News, Ahmedabad
