THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KALAHANDI, MAY 2, 2026

In a significant breakthrough for last-mile rural development, Raelpas, a remote Adivasi habitation in Odisha's Kalahandi district, has secured access to safe drinking water at home through a community-built, solar-powered piped water supply system.

Cut off from road connectivity by the Indravati River, Raelpas' eight households had historically depended on a single dug well located downhill, forcing women to traverse steep, rocky terrain five to six times a day. The arduous task consumed nearly three hours daily and had taken a severe physical toll over decades.

In December 2023, a door-to-door survey conducted by Gram Vikas under the Water Secure Gram Panchayats (WSGP) programme identified Raelpas as a critical gap in drinking water access. With support from the Azim Premji Foundation, a decentralised, solar-powered solution was subsequently designed and implemented.

The innovative system lifts water from a deepened well to a 5,000-litre storage tank using solar energy, and then distributes it through piped connections to standposts installed at every household. All materials — including solar panels, pipes, and the storage tank — were transported across the river by boat and installed with active participation from the community.

By March 2024, every household in Raelpas had access to safe drinking water right at its doorstep.

"This is like a dream come true," said Bisu Majhi, president of the village. "For years, that one well was our only source."

The impact has been immediate and transformative. Women no longer spend hours each day fetching water, significantly reducing drudgery and freeing up valuable time for livelihoods, childcare, and other household responsibilities. Reliable access to water has also enabled regular use of toilets, improved hygiene practices, and restored privacy and dignity in everyday life.

Globally, more than two billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, with women disproportionately bearing the burden of water collection. Raelpas stands as a compelling example of how decentralised, community-led solutions can overcome geographic isolation and deliver essential services to some of the most underserved populations.

"This intervention demonstrates that remoteness need not be a barrier when solutions are designed for the terrain and built with the community," said a Gram Vikas representative.

The Raelpas model offers a scalable and inspiring blueprint for reaching similarly remote habitations across India — places where infrastructure gaps remain, but community determination continues to thrive.