: To remove the problem of water scarcity in the Keonjhar town, overhead tanks were built and pipes were laid down by spending crores of rupees from DMF fund under the ‘Sajal - Drink from Tap' Mission. But the water deficient areas still are not getting water as the distribution of water has been chaotic.   
 
The aggrieved locals alleged that although water is sourced from Kanjhari dam and Ghaghra water to the overhead tanks in the affected area, the problem lies in managing the supply. When water is supplied from the overhead tanks to the households by pipe there is nobody to monitor the valve system in the PHED.
 
As nobody looks after the operating system, while some areas are flooded with water and others remain dry forcing the people to use contaminated water. The situation has been all the more acute during the ongoing sultry summer.
 
When contacted, Manager, WATCO, Ghasiram Majhi, who has been in charge of the water supply for the last nine years, took the matter very lightly. He said the problem would be solved soon. 
 
Jalsathi Mamata Pati said that she had regularly been giving feedback to the concerned officials but there has been no improvement yet in the situation. 
 
Meanwhile, the locals have decided to write a joint petition to Housing and Urban Development Secretary G Mathi Vathanam and 5T Secretary VK Pandian on the issue. They demanded that the inefficient officials be removed and WATCO, Anandapur have a full-time officer to monitor the work properly.