Rourkela: Due to the water scarcity in Ib river, Sundargarh is facing an acute crisis. The construction of a pipe to supply water from the river to various parts of the town is more or less complete. However, there is no water to flow through it. Sundargarh requires approximately eight lakh cusecs water daily. However, at the moment, WATCO can only provide three lakh cusecs. Earlier the Sundargarh urban body consisted of eight wards. Now the number of wards has gone up to 19 and the water demand has grown substantially. The BJD government had planned to include Sundargarh in the 24×7 water supply scheme.
Accordingly, piped connections were provided to houses at Rs 36 crore. Other than the 19 wards, it was also decided that water would be provided in localities like Patrapada, Thanapada, Luhuradhipa and Sankara. Accordingly, overhead tanks were constructed. When government funds fell short, DMF stepped up to meet the costs. However, for the project to be successful, the most important ingredient is water which is missing, locals pointed out. “There is no guarantee that every project will be successful. No doubt, the government’s effort was commendable. However, for the project to be successful, water is required in large quantities. Where is that water,” asked Sudhir Das, a resident of Sundargarh town. He blamed the construction of barrages on the upstream for the shortage of water in Ib river. Officials of WATCO expressed their helplessness. “When there were eight wards we managed to handle the situation. Now with 19, it is impossible as we can at the most supply three lakh cusecs daily,” said an official. A pump house was constructed in Ranibagicha a couple of years back. It initially solved the water crisis to a certain extent.
However, now with 19 wards and a few other localities needing water, WATCO’s problems have compounded. The previous BJD government, which initiated the piped water scheme, laid the foundation stone for a barrage near Semina before the last gram panchayat and urban local body elections. The tender process has also been completed. “We residents are waiting anxiously for the barrage work to begin so that the water crisis eases. Hopefully, the present government will understand our plight and do something fast,” another local resident said.
RAJESH MOHANTY, OP