Housing and Urban Development Minister Pushpendra Singh Deo on Monday told the State Assembly that the Odisha Urban Water Supply Policy-2013 would be implemented from 2015-16 in order to streamline and systemise drinking water supply in the State.
The Minster informed this while replying to an Adjournment Motion on the spread of the water-borne diseases due to contaminated water consumption moved in the State Assembly by Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
Participating in the discussion, while Bahinipati and other Opposing Congress and BJP members alleged that about 50 people have died after being affected by jaundice across the State, including Sambalpur, the ruling Members said timely measures were taken to contain the spread of the water borne disease.
“The State Government has failed to provide purified drinking water in the last 16 years of governance. It is unfortunate that jaundice has killed many people across the State due to consumption of contaminated water,” Bahinipati said.
He said though leakages in drainage pipes in Sambalpur, Cuttack and other places have been polluting drinking water, the State Government is yet to show seriousness to repair them.
However, Sambalpur BJD MlA Reseswari Panigrahi said about 20 to 25 people died in Sambalpur not only because of jaundice but with jaundice symptoms. She said the State Government has taken timely measures to contain jaundice spread in the town.
In his reply, the Minster said a total of 856 million litres of water is being supplied to 110 municipalities and two Census towns through 3.10 lakh household connections and 23,453 stand posts every day. The water being supplied is added with bleaching, he said.
Informing that the Odisha Urban Water Supply Policy-2013 would be implemented from coming 2015-16 fiscal, the Minister said examination of quality of water is emphasized according to the policy.
He said a total of 56 million litres of water is being supplied to 3.35 lakh people of Sambalpur every day. As preventive measures, the Minister said water is being treated through super chlorination. leakages in all pipes have been repaired. In jaundice-affected areas, purified water is being supplied through tankers and Syntex tanks.
To develop drinking water supply, a project worth Rs 7.32 crore has been approved and tender has been invited for its implementation. Besides, work order has been issued to implement a 2.86-cr project in the town. Similarly, a total of 101 million liters of water is being supplied to residents of Cuttack city. Jaundice-affected Municipality Colony and Thoria Sahi are being supplied with purified water through tankers, the Minister said.