Residents of several villages in Kendrapada's Rajkanika block staged an indefinite dharna on Friday, demanding drinking water. They placed empty buckets and pots in front of the panchayat office to protest the severe water crisis.
Residents Express Frustration Over Water Shortage
Basanti Das of Abdulpur village said, "We have been facing a severe water crisis for the last three months since four tubewells in our village are defunct. The sole working tubewell is located in a nearby village and women are forced to trek a kilometer in this heat and wait for hours in long queues to fetch a pot of water."
The villagers have been suffering due to the lack of functional water sources, with many relying on distant tubewells that often provide salty water due to salinity issues in seaside areas.
Official Response and Planned Measures
Block Development Officer Kailash Chandra Mahalik stated, "To mitigate drinking water scarcity, the officials of the rural water supply and sanitation department have started repair work of many defunct tubewells. Salinity is a major problem in many seaside villages for which many people get salty water from the tubewells. We will soon provide drinking water through tankers to the villagers."
The administration has assured that steps are being taken to address the crisis, including repairs and temporary water supply through tankers. However, the villagers remain skeptical and continue their protest until a permanent solution is implemented.
