CUTTACK:With the jaundice spread showing no sign of relenting in the Millennium City, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central Range Akhil Bihari Ota on Sunday conducted a review meeting to take stock of the situation and chalk out strategies to curb the water-borne disease.
Though use of contaminated drinking water due to leakage in pipelines stretching close to drains is said to be the main cause behind jaundice outbreak, the district administration seems to have failed to address the problem. Jaundice has been raising its ugly head in the city with the onset of summer for the last three years.
Ota directed Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO) officials to ensure leakage free pipeline water supply in Cuttack city.
The RDC has also directed to form 50 special squads, each comprising five officials of CMC and PHEO, to monitor the situation closely. While 25 squads will be deployed in the worst affected areas of Ward no 8, 9 and 10 from Monday to conduct a thorough check, the rest will be deployed at other vulnerable areas.
Ota directed PHEO officials to take necessary steps on a war-footing to repair the damaged pipelines in the entire city within March 31.
‘’So far, 25 special squads have been formed which will ensure sanitisation in the worst affected areas within five days . Efforts are on to sanitise the total 51 Wards of CMC by March 31 for which a special plan has been prepared,’’ Ota said.
Besides giving importance to distribution of halogen tablets and other water purifying agents, Ota advised the officials to create massive awareness among the residents to check the spread of the water-borne disease.
As many as 77 persons have been affected by jaundice so far in Ward no 8, 9 and 10. Among others, Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra, CMC Commissioner Gyana Das and officials of PHEO, JICA and DMET were present.