Odisha residents block highway, detain RWSS engineer over stalled water supply

Incensed residents of Chhatrapur panchayat under Nilagiri block in Balasore district staged a road blockade on State Highway No. 19 on Thursday, demanding immediate resolution of a severe drinking water crisis.

The agitation erupted after a major drinking water supply pipeline burst three days ago, cutting off water to at least five villages.

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According to sources, in the Nilagiri block’s Chhatrapur panchayat, people in five villages—Chhatrapur, Bhagabandh, Chaturipada, Mankidiasahi, and Saruchampa—have been without drinking water for the past three days due to a burst of the drinking water connection pipe.

As a result, tension was witnessed today along with a road blockade on Sheragarh Jharanaghati stretch of State Highway No. 19. RWSS JE and the local sarpanch reached the spot and are trying to persuade and calm the people.

“The five villages affected include Chhatrapur, Bhagabandh, Chaturipada, Mankidiasahi and Saruchampa. With no potable water available, daily life has come to a standstill, forcing villagers to take to the streets in protest,” some agitators expressed.

“Irate residents have blocked the Sheragarh-Jharanaghati stretch of the State Highway No. 19, disrupting traffic and triggering a tense situation. Officials from the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department, including a Junior Engineer, along with the local sarpanch, reached the spot and attempted to pacify the crowd,” the locals stated.

However, the protesters allegedly detained the RWSS engineer, insisting that he would not be allowed to leave until the water supply is fully restored. The standoff further escalated tensions at the site, with heavy public anger visible as authorities struggled to bring the situation under control.

“We have provided the villagers with water tankers. They have detained me, demanding a separate connection for the water supply. The work is underway, but I will be allowed to go after it is completed. It has been nearly three hours since I was detained. It may take more time as water supply can be restored only after the interrupted power supply becomes normal,” the JE Maheswar Singh said to OTV, when contacted.