State’s drinking water crisis echoes in Odisha Assembly

Both ruling and Opposition legislators expressed concern in unison about the prevailing drinking water crisis across the State in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday. The legislators rued over the fact that drinking water facilities could not be provided to every household of the State even 77 years after independence.

“As many as three panchayats in Chikiti area are grappling with drinking water crisis. I request to form a high-level committee and carry out an inquiry in the area to set up drinking water facilities there,” said BJP MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantaray.

“People are suffering due to the drinking water crisis in Kashipur, Dasmantpur, Borigumma and Jeypore areas. Some contractors from outside the State have been given the contracts for carrying out the drinking water projects. Those are yet to be finished even after eight years,” rued Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

Meanwhile, Mahanga MLA Sarada Pradhan brought serious allegations against former Panchayatiraj Minister Pratap Jena.

“As I was a candidate against the former Minister of the Department who was an MLA candidate against me, I didn’t get a connection for drinking water at my house. We are facing problems to get drinking water and do other household chores,” said Pradhan.

“Though the deadline for the completion of two mega drinking water projects in Athmallik has ended, the intake design is yet to be completed,” said Athmallik MLA Nalini Pradhan.

In response, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik admitted that there was neglect in the completion of various drinking water projects during the tenure of the previous government as the contract was given to agencies from outside the State.

Naik further informed that the government has undertaken the works of 207 drinking water projects with an expenditure of Rs 35,250 crore. With an additional expenditure of Rs 21,500 crore, drinking water will be provided across the State by December 2025 with cent per cent success.

“The department is committed to providing drinking water facilities to all parts of the State by 2025. As the contractors are from outside the State, there are some irregularities in the completion of the projects. We are aware of the situation and taking necessary measures accordingly,” said Naik.

Apart from the legislators, residents in various parts of the State also expressed their resentment for the drinking water issues they are facing in their areas.

“We don’t have any water connection in our areas. My brother brings water from Erakana market,” said Puspanjali Pradhan, MLA Nalini Pradhan’s sister.

“Though pipes have been laid out, we are not getting water for the last one month,” said Sunita Sethy, a resident of Digapahandi.