Water tank leaks soon after testing in UP's Mahoba, AAP raises graft charge

Cracks have appeared in an overhead water tank built under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba district, with videos showing water gushing out soon after it was filled to capacity. The visuals have triggered anger among residents and drawn a sharp political response from the Aam Aadmi Party, which has alleged corruption in the project.

According to villagers, the tank began leaking from multiple points the moment it was filled, raising questions about the quality of construction. Many residents say the structure, completed recently, is already “on the verge of bursting”.

Reacting to the development, the Aam Aadmi Party launched a scathing attack on the BJP government. In a statement, the party said, “The tank built out of the BJP government’s corruption started flowing like a waterfall just a day after testing. More than Rs 65 lakh was spent on constructing it, yet it did not last even a single day. This tank is an example of the Modi government’s corruption and the ‘you eat and feed the BJP government too’ model.”

WHAT HAPPENED IN MAHOBA

The controversy comes days after BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput stopped Uttar Pradesh Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh's convoy in Mahoba to protest against poor drinking water supply and damaged roads under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Villagers now claim the viral video has exposed the reality on the ground.

“The depth of the gap between government claims and ground reality can be seen here,” a local resident said, pointing at the cracks from which water could be seen flowing. Another villager alleged that the use of substandard material had turned a project worth crores into a “white elephant”.

Gram pradhan Gayatri has submitted a written complaint to the district administration seeking an inquiry. In the letter, the contractor has been accused of ignoring construction norms, which villagers say led to cracks developing in the tank walls.

The anger is compounded by the fact that several households are still not receiving regular supply. “Look at the irony, on one hand water is flowing out of the tank, and on the other the village’s thirst remains unquenched,” a villager said, adding that in many parts of the village taps remain showpieces because the pipeline network is faulty.

Residents have demanded that the tank be repaired at the earliest and that strict action be taken against those responsible.

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