RENGALI (SAMBALPUR):The pipelines in Talabira village located close to the Hirakud dam reservoir pump out red water. High in mineral content, the water is unfit for human consumption but the local administration is yet to come up with alternative measures for the water-stressed village under Rengali block.
The underground pipes supplying water to Bhushan Power & Steel Limited (BPSL) from Hirakud reservoir pass through the village. The villagers said they have time and again requested BPSL authorities, elected representatives and State Government officials to direct BPSL to provide clean drinking water from the pipeline to the village at least for a few hours, but in vain.
Although the State Government had commissioned a piped drinking water project in the village meant to cater to a population of 3,000 people in 2008, iron content in the water makes it unfit for consumption. This has forced villagers to consume water from village tank and other water bodies resulting in water-borne diseases.
A teacher, Sanjukta Bhoi said stomach ache and indigestion among students is a common problem as mid-day meals in the village primary school are cooked with water from local sources. Another villager, Sundar Pradhan said the water supplied through pipelines is not even fit for cleaning clothes.
Recently, Sarpanch Nilabati Oram invited junior engineer of RWSS, Indumati Pandey to the village to look into the piped water supply scheme. Although the officer has assured of looking into the problem soon, the water crisis is aggravating with temperature rising everyday. The Sarpanch reiterated the demand to provide a connection for use by the villagers from the pipeline of BPSL.