Bhanjakia: As sweltering heatwave sweeps across the state, water problem has affected people in hilly and forested areas in Raruan block of Mayurbhanj district.
The crisis has reportedly worsened at Bundelposi in Godapalasa panchayat, even though a drinking water project has been put in place under Swajaladhara, ten years ago. However, the project has not been made operational.
Villager said, “An overhead tank was competed while underground supply pipes were laid. But we are still facing drinking water.”
Over 18,000 people live in the village. Over years, they have been facing water scarcity in the area.
In view of this, the RWSS set up this project, but it is of no use to them, they lamented.
On the other hand, water table in the area has gone down amid sweltering heat. Tube wells are not working properly while people throng the well for hours to get a bucketful of water.
Surprisingly, though people are unable to get a drop of water from the project, electricity bill of the project has run into Rs 1 lakh, they added.
Villagers warned of agitation if immediate step is not taken to make the tank functional in the summer.
Chandamani Digi, a JE of RWSS, said that the project will be made functional in a few days.
PNN