A drinking water supply project of Sagiuri village in Durjantaila Gram Panchayat under Birmaharajpur block commissioned about eight years back is yet be functional.
Thanks to low voltage of electricity, the pump does not run and as a result, water supply is hindered, stated officials. Though the RWSS officials have washed their hands off the problem, the region is reeling under acute water crisis in the ongoing hot summer.
The drinking water project was started in 2010-11 at an estimated cost of Rs 15 lakh under the Integrated Action Plan. The project was meant to supply water to about 2,000 residents spread over three wards. Although there are six tube-wells, the water discharged is unfit for human consumption forcing the villagers to use water of Hariharjoar Medium Irrigation Project (MIP).
The RWSS authorities had then informed that the water level in the deep bore-well was not enough to draw water and pump it. later a fresh deep bore-well was dug close to Hariharjoar MIP and it provided enough water.
Subsequently, the deep bore-well was connected with pipelines and when everything looked perfect, it was found that due to low voltage, the pump was not able to draw water. The electricity is presently being drawn from the village transformers. If electricity is provided from a transformer specifically installed for the deep bore-well, things might look up, opined many.
The villagers said they have brought the problem of low voltage to the notice of the officials concerned, but till date, no action has been taken. They said it is not a solitary instance and there are many villages where drinking water projects are in limbo due to indifference of the officials.
RWSS Executive Engineer BB Mohanty admitted that there was water problem in the village and attributed the failure of drinking water project to low voltage. “I would take up the matter with Wesco and if required alternative ways would be found out to resolve the matter,” he added.