BARIPADA: At a time when the entire State is reeling under water scarcity, the Mayurbhanj administration has implemented an innovative water supply project that runs without electricity.
Apparently, the irrigation-cum-drinking water project is first of its kind in the State and has been implemented in six hilly villages - Mudrajodi, Digdiga, Askinala, Kumarinala, Keonjhar and Sitakunj - of Shyamakhunta and Jashipur blocks under the Integrated Action Plan. It supplies water round the year. Named Spring Water Diversion Project, it was put under experiment for the first time in the district in 2014. Spring water at a higher elevation is diverted through pipes to villages nearby. Due to the gravitational force, the water is delivered without electricity.
The project was first implemented in Mudrajodi village where 126 families are now getting safe drinking water besides, water for irrigation in 51 acres of land. Later, the project was taken up in five other villages located comparatively on high land and hilly areas and more than 700 families are being supplied water. Earlier, people had to walk to the forest to get fresh water from springs. Mayurbhanj Collector, Rajesh Pravakar Patil said the project can be used elsewhere in the State to solve water crisis in hilly areas.
Under the project, an intake structure is constructed in the stream bed at a higher elevation for collection of spring water which is distributed through pipes. In the plains, distribution pits have been constructed for agriculture and domestic animals. For human consumption, the water is released through one rapid inverted filter and then slow sand filter of graded pebbles, sand and charcoal layers. The water is then supplied through stand posts at various locations.
Moved by success of the project, the district administration has decided to take up more villages.