Khandapara: The residents of Laxmiprasad village of Dhanchengada panchayat under Bhapur block in Nayagarh district complained that they are witnessing an acute drinking water problem these days.
About 11 year ago, a bore well was set up near Malabandh on the right side of Kamei river. Using a 3.5 hp electric motor pump, the ground water was supplied to the residents of Laxmiprasad village through the pipe laid under the ground. The project was functioning under the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department.
The villagers complained of illness after using the water for some years. “Some villagers complained of kidney-related diseases after the constant use of bore well water. About 10 to 15 villagers died due to this disease,” said former Dhanchengada sarpanch Chandramani Pradhan.
Following the allegations, the project was declared defunct five years after it was commissioned.
Six years have passed since the project was shelved, according to reports.
Meanwhile, local MLA Anubhav Patnaik took initiative to construct an intake well — the Bhogada and Laxmiprasad Drinking Water Project — at the cost of Rs 69 lakh near Malabandha on the right side of Kamei river.
Pipelines have been laid out to two villages from the project. However, motor and taps are yet to be connected,” local residents said, adding, “We are having a harrowing time this summer as we don’t have a drop of drinking water to quench our thirst.”
Laxmiprasad village comprises about 1200 villagers of ward no 1, 2 and 3 of Dhanachengada panchayat. The village has 10 tube wells, but the villagers have alleged that the water dispensed by these tube wells is not fit for drinking. This apart, the village has two wells too. But these wells are not covered, leading to their water being polluted and contaminated.
The women of Laxmiprasad have to trek three kilometres to fetch a pitcher full water from Dhanachengada village.
The women threatened that if their problem is not solved soon they will start an agitation.
When contacted, Nayagarh District Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department Executive Engineer Rajiv Kumar Panigrahi said, “Electricity connection is yet to be made to the newly constructed project. We are looking into it.”
PNN
