Availability of sweet water would be a dream for Puri residents soon if the illegal and unbridled lifting of groundwater by hoteliers, apartment owners and private persons is not stopped.
The natural groundwater level in Talabania and Baliapanda is declining by the day due to illegal lifting of water and what is worrisome for common people is the lackadaisical attitude of the Puri-Konark Development Authority (PKDA). Hundreds of apartments, hotels and households constructed on leased lands are drawing groundwater through deep bore-wells uncontrollably, according to information.
All these are happening despite that fact that the then British Government had recognised the importance of the two areas measuring 448 acres of land and making boundaries around it for a water supply scheme for Puri way back in 1931. later, the area came under legal complexities when the Housing and Urban Development Department claimed 705 acres, including the above 448 acres, as its own and issued restrictions on use of the land in November 2011. However in February 2015, the Orissa High Court set aside the H and UD claim and asked that Coastal Zone Regulatory Authority to decide on the matter.
Accordingly, the Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority, after examining historical background, present scenario and future challenges, imposed prohibitions and restrictions on sale, lease, transfer and renewal of lease of land on September 5, 2017.
But illegal construction are yet to be demolished as the PKDA has not given permission on the plea of stay orders obtained by concerned persons. It is also alleged that the PKDA had not taken any interest to fight against the stay orders in the better interest of the Puri Town, where over 1.7 lakh people reside and thousands throng to visit the lords of Shree Jagannath Temple every day.
“The State Government, the district administration and the PKDA are responsible for the dismal situation,” alleged locals.