Berhampur: The residents of Chanchadapathar Sahi under Berhampur Municipal Corporation’s ward No. 32 said they would boycott the general elections if their drinking water problem is not solved soon.
With the temperature soaring high, the drinking water problem is adversely affecting the daily life of residents here.
Though the first phase of Janibili project was commissioned March 3 to address the drinking water problem in Berhampur, there are allegations that the residents are still not being getting the required quantity of drinking water.
Residents of various wards are complaining of acute drinking water problem.
The residents of Chanchadapathar sahi, who were to be benefitted from the first and second phases of Janibili project, alleged that the pipe laying work is yet to be completed in their areas.
“At the time of the first phase inauguration, the Public Health Department promised that the second phase of drinking water supply would be ready by the end of March. Let alone the second phase, the pipe laying work, which is part of the first phase, is yet to be completed in our area,” they alleged.
Over 400 families reside at Chanchadapathar Sahi. They have been experiencing the drinking water problem for the last couple of years. Every summer, water supply is completely stopped in this area.
Since the last four days, the residents of this area are not getting drinking water, locals alleged.
“We have taken up the mater up with the Public Health Department officials several time but to no avail,” the residents alleged.
After four days, the department sent a water tanker to this area.
“The arrangement hardly meets our everyday water requirement. Every year we are hitting the road, staging demonstration. But the department is yet to come up with a permanent solution,” they alleged.
“We will resort to agitation or even boycott elections if our perennial drinking water problem is not solved permanently,” they pointed out.
When contacted, Executive Engineer at Public Health Department Sitaram Panda said, “Water is being supplied from Janibili project.”
PNN
