Viral "Drive-Through Hand Pump" in Madhya Pradesh Road Sparks Safety Concerns and Investigation

Villagers had previously voiced concerns during the road's construction phase, but their warnings went unheeded.

Bhopal:

In a remarkable display of administrative oversight, Madhya Pradesh has become home to what locals are humorously dubbing "India's first drive-through hand pump." The unusual sight in Dol Kothar village of Sidhi district has captured widespread attention online, showcasing a government-installed hand pump bizarrely situated in the middle of a newly constructed road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana scheme.

The peculiar situation arose when road construction crews encountered an existing hand pump that served as the primary drinking water source for the village's Baiga settlement. Faced with the dilemma of either removing this essential resource or modifying the road's path, authorities opted for an unconventional third option: building the road around the pump.

The result is a surreal infrastructure oddity - a functional hand pump completely surrounded by concrete road surface. While the solution preserved both development projects, it has created significant safety hazards for local residents and travelers alike.

The makeshift arrangement has already led to numerous accidents involving motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians attempting to navigate around or use the awkwardly positioned water source. Community members report that their suggestions to either relocate the pump or adjust the road's trajectory were dismissed during the construction process.

"This is our Baiga neighbourhood," explained resident Sajjan Baiga. "The contractor constructed the road directly over the hand pump location. Children frequently fall while attempting to collect water, and vehicles regularly skid near it. Despite our complaints, nobody took action."

The viral spread of images showing this infrastructural curiosity has finally prompted official response. District administration has launched an investigation into the matter and directed officials to rectify the situation by repairing the road and moving the hand pump to an appropriate location that ensures both public safety and water accessibility.