Villagers in Odisha block road with utensils over drinking water shortage

Tension ran high on Nabarangpur-Koshagumuda road on Monday when the locals of Beheraguda village under Nabarangpur's Agnipur Panchayat blocked the road by putting utensils on it over shortage of drinking water.

As per reports, the villagers have been grappling with drinking water issue for a month. It has become difficult for the people to quench their thirst in the scorching summer heat.

Sources said, Beheraguda has three tubewells but all are lying defunct.

The Beheraguda locals had staged a dharna seven days ago too for the same reason. And after the intervention and assurance by the administration, the locals called off the strike. However, after the situation remained unchanged even after a week, the villagers decided to block the road.

"We have been waiting for seven days for water. The officers are only cheating us with various excuses. Our children have suffered a lot, but not anymore," alleged a protester, Chandrabati.

Speaking about the water shortage, the Assistant Engineer of RWSS, Nabarangpur, Harischandra Pradhan said, "The area is covered under the government scheme. The village needs another borewell to provide sufficient water."

"I had assured them to dig another borewell on last Monday. But the machine broke down and was sent for repairs. However, it will be ready by tomorrow. We will try to start the boring work by tomorrow evening," he added.

(Reported By Nabaghana Bisoyi, OTV)