Berhampur: Water supply in the Silk City seems to have turned from deficiency to uncertainty, despite the implementation of several projects.
For a city with a population of over four lakh and water demand of around 60 million litres per day (MLD), the public health engineering organisation (PHEO) is supplying only 51 MLD from all sources.
”If this is the situation in winter, what will happen during the peak summer,” is the word of mouth people get to hear when speaking about water crisis in the city.
During the peak summer, the water crisis is likely to further worsen like every year, despite the implementation of water supply projects worth crores of rupees. Although the government is coming up with plans and proposals to alleviate the perennial drinking water problem in the city, much more needs to be done, locals said.
Crores of rupees are spent to ease the drinking water scarcity but the condition in Gosaninuagaon, Ankuli, Lanjipali and industrial estate areas seems not to end anytime soon.
People in these areas often get water supply once in two days. People have to store water for two-three days for daily use as there is no certainty in water supply.
On the other hand, around 30 per cent of the city is yet to be covered under the drinking water supply scheme. In these uncovered areas, water tankers are the only relief for the residents.
The much awaited Janibili mega water supply project supposed to solve the nagging drinking water problem of Berhampur is expected to be completed in November, 2018. It will supply water to 52 villages in Aska, Hinjili, Sheragada and Kukudakhandi blocks in Ganjam district.
The Silk City has seen one agitation after another for speedy implementation of water projects. The government has also drawn flak from the Opposition and other organisations for water crisis. However, it continues to plague the city.
Meanwhile, the residents have demanded the government to complete the ongoing projects and renovate old pipelines before the onset of summer. PNN
