Residents of Birsanagar along with JMM activists on Thursday protested against poor quality of water and delay in laying of pipelines of the Moharda drinking water project, a dream project of state Chief Minister Raghubar Das at his home constituency (Jamshedpur East).
The agitators demonstrated at the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), the local urban body at its Sakchi office.
The residents alleged that two water towers out of the seven water towers have developed leakage in their roof resulting in dirty water being supplied to residents.
This apart, several residents of Birsanagar are yet to benefit from the water project due to delay in laying of secondary pipelines in many areas.
The foundation stone of the water project of the project was laid by former chief minister Arjun Munda and then state urban development minister Raghubar Das in September 2006. It was scheduled to be complete in 2008. The project is expected to provide piped drinking water to around 1.5 lakhs populace residing in Bagunhatu, Bagunnagar, Baridih, Birsanagar, Moharda and Hurlung.
“Though some of the neighbours have started getting water from the project, but unfortunately we still have to depend upon tubewells for our water needs. The chief minister had promised that all residents will be able to get water supply from this project very soon. It has been more than five months and we are yet to receive water,” said a resident.
JNAC special officer Deepak Sahay said that detailed project report (DPR) has been send to drinking water and sanitation department (DW&SD) for final approval.
“ We are aware of the development. A fresh DPR had been submitted to DW&SD in February this year for a final approval. Soon after their approval state urban development will release funds for laying of secondary pipelines,” said JNAC special officer. He further said that executive engineer of the DW&SD Adityapur will look into the complaint of poor quality of water.