Ahead of summer, drinking water crisis deepens in Keonjhar

Keonjhar: Despite allocation of crores of rupees for provision of safe drinking water to the people, there are several areas of the State like Telkoi block in Keonjhar where people have already started to feel the pinch of the deepening water crisis ahead of scorching summer.

Locals of Sibanarayanpur have alleged that while they have been unable to access clean drinking water from supply pipes, tube-wells and water stand posts in their area are also lying defunct thereby forcing them to depend on open water source like pond.

“Many a times we have to suffer from various kinds of diseases due to drinking polluted water from open source,” rued a local resident.

It may be noted that even though an overhead tank has been constructed in the village but the locals are yet to get drinking water from the facility.

“Water was accessible only for one month, but for the last four years, the tank has become defunct,” alleged local resident Ugrasen Sahu.

Sources said, in 2012, a water project was initiated at Golabandha village, however few days later the construction of the project was stopped. Later, even though Rs 7 lakh was invested to carry out the leftover work, the project is yet to be completed.

Similarly, the residents of Juanga Sahi under Padang panchayat are reeling under severe drinking water problems. Sources said a water project was started in the village two years ago, however the construction work was stopped midway.

“Around 40 families are forced to fetch water from the nearby pond as there is no provision of drinking water in the village. Despite repeated complaints, no concrete steps have been taken yet,” Jambubati Juang, a resident of Juanga Sahi said.

On the other hand, Telkoi BDO, Dilip Kumar Bara said that steps are being taken to address the issues on priority basis.

“Repair work is being carried out and within next few days, the services will be restored” said Bara.