Defunct water projects mounts water crisis in Balasore

Soro: Even though the State government is spending crores of rupees for setting up water tanks at several places, people are still facing problems due to water crisis in Soro block of Balasore district.

Several water supply projects have become defunct after a few days of its inauguration at a few places while some projects are not functioning due to non-payment of electricity bill in other places.

Residents of Jadida, Narasinghpur, K.R. Pur and Belda under Soro block of the district are the worst affected owing to such irregularities in piped drinking water supply.

The water crisis has also assumed serious proportions in Raipitambar and Anantpur panchayat where villagers are forced to depend on pond to meet their water requirements as water projects are lying defunct here.

62 drinking water projects have been set up in 22 panchayats under Soro block, official sources said.

“Few days after the Chief Minister inaugurated the project, the project became non-functional. For past three months, there is no supply of water. The lone tubewell in the village is in precarious condition. Despite repeated complaints, the authorities are yet to act,” alleged Priyatama Jena, a villager of Jadida.

Expressing similar views Manoj Panda, another Jadida villager, stated as poor quality pipes have been laid, the get damaged frequently. As a result, we are facing problems in getting uninterrupted water supply.

When contacted, BDO Ramesh Hansdah said the issue will be resolved soon.

“We are trying to supply tanker water to the areas where there is scarcity of water. Besides, arrangements have been made to set up deep borewell if the issue persists,” Hansdah added.