Thuamul Rampur: Hundreds of residents in Thuamul Rampur block headquarters in Odisha’s Kalahandi district have been grappling with a drinking water crisis for the past 10 days after piped water supply under the Vasudha scheme was disrupted amid an alleged dispute between the electricity and water supply departments over unpaid bills.
The prolonged disruption has forced residents across several localities to depend on tube wells for their daily water needs. With the two departments blaming each other and the panchayat yet to clear its outstanding dues in full, residents continue to bear the brunt of the impasse.
The affected areas include Talabandha Pada, Talapada, Jamjhol Pada, parts of the Basti area, Tahasil Pada, Jagannath Colony. In Talabandha Pada, Talapada and Jamjhol Pada, more than 40 families have access to just two tube wells, resulting in long queues for water. Women can be seen waiting for hours with buckets, pots and other containers to collect water.
Residents have also expressed concern over the condition of two local ponds. Despite the expenditure of lakhs of rupees on desilting, the ponds reportedly remain unfit for use.
Assistant Executive Engineer of the Water and Sanitation Department Manmath Murmu said an electrical fuse at the pump house had blown. He alleged that the electricity department had repeatedly been informed about the problem but had failed to send personnel to repair it.
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However, electricity department engineer Subhajit Jena said the panchayat had outstanding water bills. He said the fuse was not being replaced in accordance with instructions from senior officials and that the power supply would be restored only after the pending dues were paid.
The water crisis at the block headquarters has triggered resentment among residents, who have questioned the silence of local elected representatives and the block development officer (BDO). Local youths have demanded the immediate restoration of piped water supply and the installation of a new tube well in the Talabandha Pada and Jamjhol Pada areas.
Residents are now awaiting action from the block administration and the departments concerned to resolve the crisis and restore normal water supply.
