Dhenkanal: Even before the onset of summer, residents of Kathagada under Dhenkanal municipality ward-1 have started feeling the pinch of water woes.
The rapid depletion of groundwater has set alarm bells ringing among the residents who demanded immediate steps in this regard before the situation worsens in summer.
“This year, water woes have begun from now. Water problem during summer is understandable. But, the sudden decrease in groundwater is a matter of concern. We want the officials to act swift and take steps before summer,” a local said.
More than 600 families dwell in College bypass area, Suryanagar, Samaya Lane and Anandnagar under ward-1. With no proper water supply system, residents here mostly depend on wells and tube-wells.
However, the depletion of water in wells and tube-wells has spread panic among residents. Wells were getting dried while tube-wells were slowly becoming defunct unable to fetch underground water.
They attributed the problems to excess excavation and quarry works for construction of National Highway-55.
“There is a lot of quarrying in our area, leading to reduction of groundwater. If this continues, we will not get a drop of water in future,” a resident said.
Despite repeated complaints, no steps have been taken to stop quarrying, locals alleged. Although the health department had earlier assured the villagers of providing them proper drinking water through a special water supply project, nothing has come to the help of the people.
They demanded the officials to swing into action and take appropriate action before things turn worse during summer.
“We will hit the streets, if our demands are not fulfilled,” locals Bhagirathi Mahapatra, Rabinarayan Sahu, Sudhanshu Kumar Behera, Himanshu Shekhar Sahu and others said.
PNN