Villagers Forced to Use Polluted Pond in Odisha

ATHAGARH: With mercury level rising, water scarcity is already being experienced in many parts of Narsinghpur block of Cuttack district. Water bodies are fast drying up. Water level in wells and ponds has hit rock bottom in many villages.

Sources said water scarcity has gripped the villagers of at least 33 gram panchayats (GPs) in the block. Deobhuin panchayat, located in hilly and forest area, is the worst affected. As there is no pipe water supply system, Chaunrinal, Khamarsahi, Majhisahi and Bhutbania villages of the panchayat depend on only two tubewells.

Villagers have to wait in long queues before the tubewells for collecting drinking water. On the other hand, the two tubewells are not enough to cater to the needs of the villagers due to lack of maintenance.

The only tubewell in Bhutabania has been lying defunct since long. As a result, villagers of Majhisahi and Bhutabania are forced to collect water from a pond located half a km away from the habitation.

Locals alleged they are falling victims to various diseases after consuming water from the polluted pond.

This apart, the four villages are yet to be connected with road network. Surprisingly, the villages have no anganwadi centres and their children are deprived of primary education. Of the 250 families, only 27 have been supplied with electricity, they said.

They have sought immediate attention of the district administration.