Odisha: Sambalpur faces acute water crisis

TNN: Erratic and inadequate water supply has made life difficult for the people living on the outskirts of Sambalpur reeling under the heatwave. “It is happening due to the low water pressure in the pipeline,” said executive engineer of the public health engineering organisation (PHEO) Bhagyadhara Mohanty, who has received many complaints on this issue.

To mitigate the problem, the PHEO has started pressing tankers into service in the water-starved localities. “The department has eight water tankers and we will hire 10 more tankers to provide water to these areas.” said Mohanty. Every year, Durgapali, Cheruapara, Stationpara, Talbhatapara, Charbhati, Chandan Nagar, Bhatra, Kanijuri, Sakhipara, Sunapali, Putibandh, Kuluthkani localities face the water shortage problem in summer.

“Though our houses have been covered under water supply facilities, we don’t get it when we require it the most. The water is not reaching many areas,” said a resident of Ainthapali.

Enforcement officer of the SMC Subhankar Mohanty said “We are coordinating with the PHEO whenever we are getting complaints about water scarcity. The SMC has procured two tankers to provide water to people. The SMC has also planned to set up 50 water kiosks across the city to provide drinking water to commuters. The kiosks will start operating from April 15. The SMC has started repairing defunct Amrut Dhara (concrete structure to store drinking water) at 20 locations. The Amrut Dhara will also be ready by April 15,” he said.

Erratic and inadequate water supply has made life difficult for the people living on the outskirts of Sambalpur reeling under the heatwave. “It is happening due to the low water pressure in the pipeline,” said executive engineer of the public health engineering organisation (PHEO) Bhagyadhara Mohanty, who has received many complaints on this issue.

To mitigate the problem, the PHEO has started pressing tankers into service in the water-starved localities. “The department has eight water tankers and we will hire 10 more tankers to provide water to these areas.” said Mohanty. Every year, Durgapali, Cheruapara, Stationpara, Talbhatapara, Charbhati, Chandan Nagar, Bhatra, Kanijuri, Sakhipara, Sunapali, Putibandh, Kuluthkani localities face the water shortage problem in summer.

“Though our houses have been covered under water supply facilities, we don’t get it when we require it the most. The water is not reaching many areas,” said a resident of Ainthapali.

Enforcement officer of the SMC Subhankar Mohanty said “We are coordinating with the PHEO whenever we are getting complaints about water scarcity. The SMC has procured two tankers to provide water to people. The SMC has also planned to set up 50 water kiosks across the city to provide drinking water to commuters. The kiosks will start operating from April 15. The SMC has started repairing defunct Amrut Dhara (concrete structure to store drinking water) at 20 locations. The Amrut Dhara will also be ready by April 15,” he said.