Bokaro: Deputy commissioner (DC) Ajay Nath Jha on Monday visited Bagda village under Kasmar block, around 41 km from the district headquarters, to meet a farmer who has drawn attention for digging a 29-foot-deep irrigation well entirely through his own labour after years of struggling for watering his fields.Deputy commissioner (DC) Ajay Nath Jha on Monday visited Bagda village in Kasmar block, around 41 km from the district headquarters, to meet a farmer whose extraordinary determination has drawn widespread attention after he single-handedly dug a 29-foot-deep irrigation well.Ganesh Mahto (46) took up the task after losing access to a neighbour’s well that he had relied on for irrigating his fields for years. A family dispute ended the arrangement, leaving his farmland without a dependable water source. Despite repeatedly seeking govt assistance, he received no relief.Undeterred, Mahto began digging the well with a spade in Dec 2025. Working alone under difficult conditions, he spent nearly six months excavating the 29-foot-deep structure.During his visit, Jha inspected the partially completed well and interacted with local officials. He directed them to prepare an estimate for the remaining work and submit it to the district headquarters so that the project could be completed at the earliest.The DC also instructed officials to install a solar-powered pump at the site to provide the farmer with a sustainable source of irrigation. Noting that Mahto is diabetic, Jha directed officials to ensure he undergoes a medical examination and receives the necessary healthcare support, considering the physical strain involved in digging the well.Mahto was away selling jhalmuri at a local market when the DC arrived. Villagers rushed to inform him and brought him back home.“It feels like a dream that the DC himself came to see my well,” Mahto said.The district administration has also proposed honouring him for his extraordinary perseverance.
Deputy commissioner (DC) Ajay Nath Jha at Bagda village
Deputy commissioner (DC) Ajay Nath Jha at Bagda village
Ganesh Mahto