Tsering Dolma, a woman in her 70s from Skurbuchan village—about 65.5 km from Leh in the Khaltse sub-division—has expressed deep concern over the excessive and uncontrollable water pressure from taps installed under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). She fears that continuous flooding could eventually damage or even collapse her home.

While some households struggle with overflowing water, others receive little to no supply, highlighting serious imbalances and poor planning in the scheme’s execution.

“I stay alone and live in fear of water overflow. The breakage of pipes is unpredictable because of the poor-quality materials used. You never know when or where the taps will break,” said Tsering Dolma. “I urge the concerned authorities to either supply water only in the mornings or regulate the pressure so that we can live peacefully.”

Traditional homes in Skurbuchan, built closely together using local materials, are particularly vulnerable to water damage. Instead of improving living standards, the uncoordinated execution of the mission has caused distress and disruption among residents.

Stanzin Paljor, another resident, added, “It’s been a few years since JJM was implemented in our village, but the services are unsatisfactory. Some areas receive excessive water while others receive none. The pipes used are of poor quality, leading to frequent breakages."

He further noted, “I don't think JJM can be successful in places like Ladakh without proper planning. In winter, water freezes due to the harsh weather, and the terrain here cannot be compared with other states.”

Despite its goal of ensuring 100% tap water supply to rural households, the Jal Jeevan Mission appears to have fallen short of expectations in Skurbuchan. What was intended to raise living standards has instead become a source of anxiety.

In several areas, two to three taps have been installed within half a meter of each other, many of which are now covered and unused. Residents allege that such unplanned work wastes public funds and creates unnecessary chaos in the name of development. Reports of substandard pipes and fittings have led to frequent breakages, flooding homes, cattle sheds, and agricultural fields—posing serious risks to property, livestock, and human safety.

A resident from Khachethang echoed the frustrations, stating, "I live in that part of Skurbuchan where there is no water at all. Although pipelines have been laid, no water facility has been provided. The aim of JJM to deliver water to every household has completely failed in our area."

Responding to the issue of high water pressure, Executive Engineer of the PHE Department, Kacho Mumtaz Ali, stated,“Yes, it is true that there is an issue of high water pressure, and we have visited the village. To control it, we will install a pressure-reducing valve and redistribute the water to other areas like Khachethang, where supply is lacking. The proposal for the valve is ready and will be implemented soon.”

Addressing concerns over material quality, he clarified, “There might be some confusion. The pipes are not substandard; they are verified and quality assured. Our responsibility is to lay the pipeline up to the doorstep. After installation, the maintenance of tap accessories lies with the household.”

Speaking on broader concerns, Councillor Lundup Dorjai said, “JJM is 100% a failure in my constituency. The project was executed without proper planning. In the name of Jal Jeevan, blacktopped roads were excavated, leaving them broken and dusty. We hoped to get a reliable water supply, but unfortunately, our dreams have been shattered."

He further added, "The people of my constituency have been raising these issues for a long time. Whenever they complain about a pipe breakage, the lineman tells them to contact the contractor, and the contractor sends them back to the lineman. There is no accountability at all."

He emphasized that pipes were laid without proper planning and in violation of standard specifications. "The problem of water supply can only be resolved if everyone works collaboratively; otherwise, these issues will continue," he said.

As the people of Skurbuchan continue to struggle with erratic water supply, broken infrastructure, and mounting risks to their homes and livelihoods, their calls for accountability and urgent corrective measures grow louder. The Jal Jeevan Mission, once seen as a symbol of progress, now stands as a reminder that development without proper planning, local adaptation, and transparency can do more harm than good. For Skurbuchan and many such villages across Ladakh, the real hope lies not just in pipelines—but in solutions that genuinely understand and respect the land and its people.