Bhuban: Despite being blessed with the state’s second largest river Brahmani, Bhuban town in Dhenkanal district has been facing acute water crisis. The problem assumes serious proportions in summer.
Since the root of the problem has been traced to depleted groundwater level, Bhuban NAC has started constructing rainwater harvesting structures to increase groundwater level which will eventually solve the water problem in the region.
With wells and ponds getting dried up and deep tube wells going defunct every summer, the NAC has to bear the brunt of people’s ire. To end this problem, the NAC has set a target to construct 75 rainwater harvesting structures. These structures are being set up under the state government’s Mukhyamantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan (MUKTA) and the NAC has received a sanction of Rs 30lakh for this.
According to NAC authorities, out of 75 structures, 55 have already been completed while the construction of the rest 20 will be completed within the stipulated time frame.
According to NAC authorities, members of the Mission Shakti in local areas have been engaged in this work. The work on the structures begins only after local tehsildar, executive office and junior engineer select a suitable place for the purpose. Then three staff are assigned the job to supervise the work.
The authorities said they are sure that the project will last long since the responsibilities of maintaining and managing structures rest on Mission Shakti members.
Informing about the success of the project, Bhuban NAC, executive officer Duryodhan Sahu said, “With an objective to provide employment to skilled labourers and bring in a change in their living condition, MUKTA yojana is being implemented in 144 urban areas. The rainwater harvesting structures will go a long way in increasing the groundwater level. The benefits of the project will be achieved when people understand its importance.”
Terming the construction of rainwater harvesting structures as a first step towards finding an ideal town, programme coordinator Ashok Kumar Roul said the projects will help end the water scarcity problem in summer season.
“Such projects are the need of the hour. Since groundwater level has fallen drastically, only with the help of such projects the level can be increased. Once put to use, the drinking water problem will come to an end,’ observed Jhunarani Sahu and Pushpanjali Pothal, secretary and member of Mission Shakti respectively.
While the first phase fund has been utilized in constructing the structures, the second phase fund will be used for the development of the town. For this, a blueprint has been drawn up to lay tiles on footpaths, set up open gymnasiums, mini-parks, smart roads and illuminate them, it was learnt.
PNN