Villagers of Jitnagar in the tribal-dominated Narmada district are having a tough time even as preparations are on to host the state function of the Independence Day in the village. The district authorities have been levelling ground for the Independence Day function near Chhotu Purani Vyayam Mahavidyala with mud brought from Jitnagar Lake. But this has totally disrupted the villages approach road. The main drinking water pipeline is also broken for the last six days. As a result,children have been missing school and 1,200 people in the village are without drinking water. Narmada District Collector R M Patel shrugged off the responsibility and said,There must be people from private organisation who are lifting mud from the lake. It is not us. Jitnagar sarpanch Mafat Vasava said,Patels stand on the issue is wrong. There are over five tankers of the Irrigation department that lift mud from the lake. These vehicles are so heavy that they have mucked up the entire approach road. He added: Not only this,the village main drinking water line has been broken by the heavy tankers. The approach road runs for approximately a kilometre before joining the main road. The uniforms of children in the village are blotched with dirt as they walk by this road. The villagers have asked their children not to go to school because of this.
