Banarpal: Each year as summer approaches, the administration gets going with drinking water kiosks at major squares and road sides in Angul. Similar efforts have been made here this year as well, the only major difference being the kiosks have broken pots.
The soaring temperature has crippled normal life here. From 10:00am to 3:00pm, roads bear a deserted look, with only a few vehicles plying on the streets. Even cases of sunstroke are being reported from various parts of this district. That said, venturing out even under these conditions are a must for some and these water kiosks were expected to serve as Godsend for them.
For the record, this year the block administration has opened over one hundred water kiosks at places like near the block office, panchayat headquarters, bus stand, weekly market and nearly all major squares. The issue being, most of these kiosks operate with their storage pots broken.
The one operating near the block office is a case in point. Suggesting the adage ‘nearer the church the farther from God’ can’t be farther from truth for this block administration.
This water kiosk welcomes thirsty commuters with broken and cracked pots. Without giving a second through to the quality of the water, commuters are seen drinking water from these only to risk drinking contaminated water. Even though political leaders, officers and even the block development officer are seen passing in front of this kiosk each day, the sorry state of affair of the kiosk has failed to catch their attention.
Some local residents said that the fourteenth finance commission is spending money for opening these kiosks. But the money that has been spent here barely meets its objective. And this is all because of the whimsical attitude of the block administration.
When asked, panchayat extension officer Rashmirekha said, “More than one hundred water kiosks have so far been opened at strategic locations. The cracked and broken pots will soon be replaced with good ones.”
PNN