Jajpur: The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department, using the district mineral foundation (DMF) funds, has decided to provide piped-water supply to the families residing in the 10 km-radius of the main mining cluster of this district.
This has come as a major relief for the people who have been reeling under acute water shortage across the year. The department would draw water from nearby rivers, canals, streams and other sources of water.
The executive engineer of RWSS has been asked to prepare an integrated water supply project and submit it to the chief engineer by December 30 with approval from the collector.
Though the administration has been planning to use the river water for the purpose for the last three years, they remained on pen and paper.
It may be noted that on the direction of the Supreme Court, DMF trust board allocated funds for the development of the mining affected regions. However, several projects have not been completed due to various reasons including inadequate infrastructure and proper selection of projects.
According to sources, of total Rs 365.85 crore, DMF has sanctioned Rs 151.15 crore to various agencies to implement the projects. However, a piped water project in the mining region is yet to become a reality.
Though rapid industrialisation has brought significant changes in the lives of a few people, a major chunk of population in the district has lost their livelihoods. People living in the valleys of Damashala, Brahmani, Kharasrota, Birupa, Keluu, Kushei and Baitarani rivers continue to struggle for every drop of water in summer, alleged locals.
While the ground water level is receding due to rampant drilling of deep bore wells and operation of open caste chromite mines, the administration has failed to take measures for plantation, rainwater harvesting and soil conservation, they added.
It was alleged that the state government didn’t do justice to the district by setting up just six piped water projects even as 10 major and small rivers flow through Jajpur. Moreover, people don’t get water regularly from these projects. Major projects on rivers Genguti and Brahmani are yet to see the light of the day, according to sources.
However, RWSS department has proposed to set up 17 new projects at the cost of Rs 367.52 lakh, according to a decision taken October 10.
When contacted, RWSS executive engineer Amiya Kumar Parija said the collector has approved 17 projects recently. The tendering process would be completed in January and the projects would be completed in next one year using the DMF funds, he added. PNN