Khaira: A sum of Rs 1 crore spent on a drinking water project under the Swajaldhara Yojana in Khaira block of Balasore district has gone down the drain, as the project has conked out.
Residents alleged that despite repeated complaints, the authorities concerned have failed to set the project right.
With the project lying defunct, the residents of Sarsatia have been facing water problem.
Locals alleged that over 500 people have been waiting for drinking water. They warned that they will take to the streets if the project is not set right.
The villagers demanded strong action against the contractor, who was accused of botching up the work.
The RWSS set up the project in 2015-16 to provide drinking water to scores of families in Sahapur and Bariksahi. Rs 1.11 crore was spent on the project.
The project was aimed at supplying 1 lakh litres of water. The project work faced inordinate delay, leading to protests by people.
It was hastened with the intervention of departmental engineers. Hardly had 10 days passed, all pipes cracked and some machines stopped working.
The guidelines say, if the project lies defunct, the contractor concerned is supposed to repair it till five years.
However, the administration has not taken any action against the contractor.
Assistant engineer of RWSS, Roupya Ranjan Behera, said the matter will be looked into before a step is taken for repair.
