Dasmantpur: A drinking water project built at a whopping cost of Rs 10 lakh has been lying unused causing several problems at Sujang panchyat under Dasmantpur block in tribal-dominated Koraput district.
Angry residents urged the authorities to take steps to provide water from the project at the earliest.
“Think, if drinking water so much problem in winter, what will happen during summer. So, we demanded the project to be made ready for use for locals,” the local sarpanch said.
The Dengajaniguda water project funded by NALCO, Damanjodi started in 2016-17 was completed in 2017-18. However, it has been left unused even after several months of its completion.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh, the project has turned into an object in the corridor of the panchayat which is of no use to the residents.
Contractor was from Chhotaguda village while the Koraput Integrated Tribal Development Agency has been entrusted with its maintenance.
However, the villagers alleged that the work done by the contractor was substandard, adding that there was an unholy nexus between the contractor, assistant engineer and junior engineer.
As part of the project, stand posts have been constructed at every village but they are yet to get water supply, alleged villagers Guru Jani, Maina Jani, Nakula Bisoi and Padmanabha Bisoi.
With the project not being used, the villagers are facing difficulties for drinking water. With no option left, they are collecting water from the Phulagachha Ushamunda creek. Many of them have reportedly fallen sick after drinking water from the creek.
About 130 families belonging to various communities reside in Dengajaniguda village.
The administration had dug up two tube wells to solve the drinking water problem in the village.
However, these tube wells are not functioning properly and regularly, the villagers pointed out.
The villagers demanded the immediate intervention of the administration to make the water project functional.
They threatened to gherao the Collector’s office if their demands are not met. Despite repeated attempts, the assistant engineer was unavailable for his comment.
PNN