Despite tall claims and due to unrealistic expenditures made by district administration and the local civic body for last three months to check the spread of jaundice in the city, the waterborne disease is back as at least 25 persons have tested positive to disease in Ward-13 recently. Areas like Mehndipur, Darjee Sahi, Kali Gali, Balu Bazaar, Mahidas Bazaar, Nimchoudi and Alamchand Bazaar of the city have now come under the grip of jaundice and the panic-stricken people have blamed the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities for the worsening situation.
“Broken drinking water pipelines, filthy and unclean drains in the localities are the main causes of jaundice,” alleges city Congress chief Md Moqim. While it is claimed that huge amounts have now been spent by the civic authorities in replacing the damaged pipelines, jaundice still spreads its tentacles contradicting the claims of expenditures, Moqim said. Struck by the criticism, the CMC authorities have geared up to tackle the situation by opening up health camps in localities. “The health camps will look into clinical investigations, treatment and spread awareness to check jaundice in the locality,” said CMC Health Officer Dr PK Pradhan.