Jaundice situation remains grim in Cuttack

Cuttack: Jaundice is slowly spreading its tentacles in Cuttack with the total number of cases from the millennium city reaching 20. According to sources, more than 20 cases have been reported in Shikharpur area in the past few days but unofficially the number is expected to be far more.

Sources said, two days ago the number of affected persons in Talasahi area was 15 whereas the number has been rapidly increasing at Nadikula Sahi in Shikharpur as well. While the local residents are living in constant fear because of the disease, they alleged that the administration has failed to address the drinking water problem and ensure proper drainage facilities.

“Every year we apprise the civic body about the problems and they give us assurances, but the problem persists,” said a local resident, Diptimayee Mohanty.

The civic body meanwhile has admitted the spread of the disease and attributed it to the leakages in drinking water pipelines. According to sources, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Public Health department (PHD) have constituted a squad and steps are being taken to repair and replace the damaged pipelines.

“As the pipeline connections are very old and have not been replaced, there could be damages and leakages. We are conducting an enquiry and will make necessary arrangements for repairing and laying new pipes in the region,” SDO of Cuttack PHD, Niranjan Maharana said.

Choudwar MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal along with officials of the civic body and various departments of the administration visited the affected area and reviewed the situation today.

“The situation is under control and several steps are being taken to clean the drains,” Biswal said.

The MLA further informed that an awareness campaign has been launched by the ASHA and Aanganwadi workers and a free health camp has also been set up in the region.