KORAPUT: At a time when water scarcity has gripped every village of the district, two drinking water projects are lying defunct for the last 10 years.
The projects were implemented in Borigi and Langalbeda to cater to drinking water needs of people of both the panchayats, in the year 2007-08.
The Rural Development department installed the projects under Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) programme.
The projects were supposed to provide drinking water to more than 300 households at Langalbeda and Borigi villages. However, both the projects functioned only for two weeks. Sources said the projects developed electrical snags and were never repaired.
There were only a few electrical wires and two pump houses at the project sites. The SOUTHCO officials have shifted the transformers of the projects to other places and pump sets have been stolen by miscreants.
Villagers have been running from pillar to post for revival of the water projects. Collector V Jay Kumar, too, has been apprised of the issue but in vain.
Borigi panchayat sarpanch Ishwar Huika alleged that RWSS officials, in connivance with the contractors concerned, embezzled the funds and never looked into proper implementation of the projects. He further alleged that the RWSS officials have been showing the projects as functional in review meetings even today.
RWSS Executive Engineer Manoranjan Mali said `12.45 lakh each was sanctioned for the projects in 2006 under the 14th Finance Commission.
He said the projects were handed over to Narayanpatna block officials for management. Narayanpatna BDO Hemant Kumar Singh, though, said RWSS was yet to officially hand over the projects to block office.
He said the RWSS Junior Engineer would be asked to submit a repair estimation of both the projects so that necessary work can be undertaken within two to three months.