Jajpur: The state government has planned eight mega drinking water projects in Jajpur district to ensure safe drinking water to people, but approval has been given to only two projects while six are awaiting approval, a report said.
According to a report, these projects envisage lifting of water from Brahmani, Genguti, Baitarani and Kharasrota rivers.
A joint inspection report on lifting river water for drinking purpose has been submitted by RWSS to its chief engineer November 11, 2020.
The water resources department has given its stamp of approval to two projects only while six other projects are pending approval.
One of the two projects which have got approval is aimed at providing water to 43 villages under Barchana block and 45 villages under Dharmashala block. This project entails lifting 9.32 cusecs of water from Genguti.
The other project is going to be set up in Dasharathpur block to provide 7.75 cusecs of safe drinking water to 33 villages.
The water resources divisions of Jajpur and the RWSS have jointly identified spots for intake wells to lift water from riverbeds June 12, 2020.
Meanwhile, two drinking water projects meant for Barchana, Dasrathpur and Dharmashala have been brought under RIDF scheme from Basudha scheme.
The other drinking water projects had been proposed three years ago for Danagadi, Rasulpur, Binjharpur, Sukinda and Jajpur blocks.
Two mega drinking water projects are going to be set up in Sukinda block. Fund to the tune of Rs 79.104 crore has been sanctioned under the Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC).
The RWSS has submitted its report in which it was stated that spots for three intake wells at Chuali near Brahmani river have not been decided. Their approval is pending.
Besides, the spots for the intake wells at Badabant, Bankipal and Sribantpur for the drinking water project near the Kharashrota river have not been identified. It was stated that their approval is being awaited.
The chief engineer of the RWSS has directed the executive engineer of the Jajpur RWSS division to take necessary steps in this regard within a week.
PNN