KUCHINDA: If summer is around, can water scarcity be behind in Kuchinda sub-division? The common summer affliction that usually rears its head in April, has arrived early this year. Though an annual feature, no steps have yet been taken to redress the problem.
Swajal Dhara scheme too has failed miserably in the district with the piped water scheme remaining incomplete in several villages.
A visit to Paruabadi panchayat speaks volumes about the scheme initiated in three villages of Paruabadi, Patrapali and Ram Tileimal. At all the places work is
progressing at a sluggish pace.
When the villages were selected for the project, it brought cheer to them. But it was short-lived as the villagers continue to struggle for every drop of water. Though the project in Ram Tileimal is providing water to a small part of the village, a majority of its inhabitants are yet to benefit.
Similarly, in Patrapali water is available only at a couple of points and is insufficient to meet the needs of the water-starved village.
In Paruabadi village the work to provide piped water was handed over to an SHG some five years back. But differences among the SHG members saw the work not only get delayed but it was sub-standard. This forced RWSS to take over the work but in the last two years it is moving at a snail’s pace.
Though an initiative was taken to supply water at a few places under the project, use of sub-standard materials saw water pipes burst at some places forcing the supply to be stopped. Efforts to contact SDO, RWSS, Surendra Naik, proved futile.
The situation is no different in Bamphaigaon under Baunslaga panchayat in Bamra block. Though work on the project began in 2005-2006 at ` 11.33 lakh, it is far from over.
The Junior Engineer, RWSS, said he had received complaints from the villagers on the issue and steps are being taken to expedite the Project.