Solar-Powered Water Security for Nimundra Village
Nimundra village in Kej Taluka of Beed district, Maharashtra, with a population of 652, is located in a remote hilly belt where basic infrastructure and livelihood opportunities are limited. Nearly 90% of the villagers migrate every year between October and April for seasonal sugarcane harvesting, as agriculture remains the primary source of income. Due to migration, families often take their children along, which interrupts their schooling and affects their educational continuity. Along with livelihood challenges, the village also faced a severe drinking water crisis. There was no reliable local water source, and women had to travel long distances across difficult terrain to fetch water every day, spending several hours on this physically demanding task.
Recognizing the urgent need for a sustainable solution, Janvikas Samajik Sanstha implemented a solar-powered drinking water system for the village. A large well measuring 50 ft × 63 ft was constructed and reinforced with concrete, with a water storage capacity of approximately 3,501,399 litres. A storage tank measuring 12 ft × 15 ft with a capacity of about 48,000 litres was installed, along with a pipeline network of approximately 3,600 feet connecting the well to the storage tank and distributing water across the village through standposts. An additional 3,000-litre tank was also installed to strengthen local storage. Since electricity supply in the hilly region is often unreliable, a 7.5 HP solar-powered pumping system was installed to ensure continuous water supply. This intervention has transformed daily life in Nimundra by providing a dependable source of clean drinking water within the village. Women no longer need to walk long distances for water, and the community now has a reliable and sustainable system that ensures water access throughout the year.