TALCHER:Deulbera Colony, one of the oldest colliery colonies at Talcher, is facing acute shortage of drinking water for the last two months.
While Deulbera is the worst affected, seven other colonies of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) are also facing a similar threat with the onset of summer. As the colonies of Nandira and Kalinga do not get water supply from river Brahmani during peak summer, the residents depend on mine water for their daily needs.
The water to the colonies is supplied under the Integrated Water Supply System (IWSS) which is managed by Lingaraj area authorities of MCL. Under the system, water is drawn from river Brahmani and supplied to all the eight MCL colonies.
Moreover, instead of twice daily, water to Deulbera colony is supplied only once, the residents alleged. The situation has come to such a pass that the families of coal miners’ have to purchase water for their daily needs.
“Never before did we face water scarcity to this extent. The supply for the last two months has been very erratic and inadequate,” said PK Pradhan, a resident of the colony.
Coming down heavily on the MCL authorities for insufficient supply of water to the colonies, general secretary of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Souvagya Pradhan said, “Though the issue was raised at several meetings with MCL at different levels there has been no response.”
However, General Manager of MCL, Lingaraj area, S Chandra said, “I am not aware of the problems faced by the people regarding water supply but will look into the issue.”