Cuttack: Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Central Dr. Akhil Bihari Hota on Wednesday directed the Public Health department (PHD) to replace old water supply pipes in the city with new ones within one month.
Talking to media persons after chairing a review meeting on the jaundice situation in the millennium city, Hota said, “As most of the water supply pipes are made of iron, water leaks from them due to rusting in the pipes and leads to contamination. Therefore, I directed officials to replace the pipes in one month.”
Besides, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and JICA were asked to clean the drainage system by May 15, Hota added.
“I will review the situation every week till things are set right,” the RDC Central said.
Hota also instructed the Cuttack district administration to involve Anganwadi and ASHA workers in sensitizing people about the water-borne disease.
He further stated, “We will ensure that there is no contamination till water distribution point. But, for connection pipes to houses, we will ask the beneficiaries to change pipes in case there is any leakage. If they do not oblige, we will cut the water connection and provide water in tankers.”
Among others, Cuttack Collector, CDMO, engineers of the PHD and JICA and CMC representative were present in the review meeting.
Ranjan Biswal, chairman of Public Health committee of CMC said, “At the RDC-level meeting, the CMC was asked to undertake cleanliness drive within 15 days.”
Cuttack CDMO Prafulla Behera said, “People should not panic as the mortality rate in this type of jaundice is zero. Besides, the situation is under control.”
Notably, a total of 46 persons have tested positive for jaundice in Cuttack so far.