Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 8: With jaundice spreading its tentacles in capital city, the state government Friday decided to close down all contaminated wells in the city.
“Our preliminary inspection shows that some people are affected by jaundice due to contamination of water in wells. So, we have decided to close the contaminated wells in the city forthwith.
Alternative provision for safe drinking water will be made for the people,” housing and urban development minister Puspendra Singh Deo said after holding a high-level meeting here Friday. It was also decided that ward-level welfare committees would be constituted to check possible sources of water contamination, he added.
Besides, the government would spread awareness among people about the hazards of contaminated water, the minister added.
The minister directed the officials to install more stand posts in the affected areas to provide safe water to the people. He also directed to test water samples twice every day.
“Proper coordination among government, public health department and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials is essential.
Awareness vans will move around the city from tomorrow,” BMC commissioner Krishan Kumar said.
City Mayor Anant Narayan Jena, who is monitoring the situation, said, “We have started supplying water in the area through tankers since morning. We have also been urging the residents to improve cleanliness and sanitation.”
About 30 cases of jaundice have been reported in Jharana basti, a
slum in Ward 53 where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence is located.
Official sources said a public health unit has started visiting the affected wards in the city and distributing hygiene kits along with chlorine tablets among the residents in the area.
Last year, the water-borne disease had killed over 30 people and affected over 4,000 in the state.
