Jajpur: The state government is contemplating to install solar powered motor pumps in piped drinking water projects in nine coastal districts to tackle the drinking water problem during natural calamities like flood and cyclonic storm, a report said.
These pumps will be installed in 4,315 projects in coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda and Puri districts with World Bank assistance of Rs 345.20 crore. As per reports, Rs 8 lakh will be spent on each project
The solar powered pumps will be installed in place of electric pumps as power supply faces complete shutdown in event of a natural calamity striking the state. This apart, 25KVA to 50KVA DG sets will be kept ready in these drinking water projects.
The matter came to the fore after the engineer-in-chief (EIC) of rural water and sanitation department (RWSS) submitted a proposal (letter no-4538/15.05.2019) to the principal secretary, state panchayatiraj department, in this regard.
In his letter, the EIC said as the power service gets disrupted in the flood and cyclone hit regions, people are put to untold sufferings due to non-availability of drinking water. He said by installing solar powered motor pumps drinking water supply would continue without any disruptions. As a result, people will be benefitted.
Observers welcomed the proposal but doubted the success of the project as 200 solar powered drinking water projects installed in Jajpur district are not properly functioning due to lack of maintenance and apathetic attitude of the authorities.
They alleged that earlier solar powered pumps supplied by private agency Shanti Associates were of sub-standard quality for which at least 15 projects failed to run for a year.
This year at least 14 drinking water projects have stopped functioning due to these substandard pumps. This has been informed by the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) to the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department in the district.
They alleged this has happened due to a profiteering attitude of some unscrupulous officials in the department.
When contacted. Amiya Kumar Parija, executive engineer of RWSS said he is yet to receive any official communication in this regard. But if installed, this will go a long way in solving the drinking water problems of the residents during calamity, he added.
PNN