Malkangiri: Though crores of rupees are being sanctioned every year towards improvement in water supply, people in several places in Odisha are still forced to drink contaminated water and allegedly falling prey to kidney ailments and other water-borne diseases.
Pedaguda village in Malkangiri district is one such village where potable drinking water still remains a far cry. People are dependent on one hand pump and are forced to drink contaminated water, raising concern of increase in kidney ailments.
According to reports, 10 people have died due to kidney related ailments in the last couple of years while seven more villagers are reportedly affected with the disease allegedly due to consumption of the contaminated water.
"We are forced to drink the water which is not fit for consumption. Several people have been diagnosed with kidney diseases but due to financial constraints, some are unable to seek proper treatment," said a villager Chittaranjan Bati.
Another villager Dula Madi demanded for urgent steps by government on the issue.
Meanwhile, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Amrendra Mohanty accepted that the villagers are consuming muddy contaminated and stated that they have received complaints regarding people affected with kidney disease in few villages of two blocks in the district.
"Though we had collected water samples and sent for test, nothing was found. We have also written to State government to depute a team for proper investigation," said Mohanty.