Malkangiri: A large number of people belonging to Ashirwad Colony of this town protested Wednesday due to drinking water scarcity they have been facing on a regular basis. They alleged that a project to end their problem was launched last year. However, it has not taken off due to the laxity of officials of various departments.
In order to provide clean and pure drinking water to residents of 19 wards including a staff colony under Malkangiri civic limits, a mega project worth over Rs 20 crore was launched in 2019. The project is being funded by the central government.
However, the project has not taken off after its launch. It meant that residents of the 19 wards had to again face acute drinking water scarcity during summer. Sources said that the project did not take off due to lack of coordination between various government departments. Among them were departments of public health, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and telecommunications.
Pipelines had to be laid for the drinking water project. In the process telecommunication cables were to be shifted while at some places roads had to be dug. However, public health department officials did not properly coordinate on the matter and the entire project got stalled, locals alleged.
On being informed, public health department engineer Gourav Kulu reached the spot and held discussions with the protesters and convinced them to withdraw their agitation. “The project work was disrupted due to lockdown. However, laying of the pipelines has started and it will be completed within the next 15 days. After that the residents of Ashirwad Colony will not face any drinking water problems,” assured Kulu.
PNN