Drinking Water Crisis: 56% Households In Odisha Yet To Get Pipe Connections, Says BJP

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Saturday came down heavily on the Odisha government for failing to provide drinking water supply to people of different areas of the state reeling under scorching summer heat.

Speaking to media persons, here on Saturday, State BJP spokesperson Rama Ranjan Baliarsingh said though the Centre has allocated adequate fund under Jal Jeevan Mission, the state government has not been able to utilise it leading to suffering of the people.

Stating that the government is yet to constitute rural housing and sanitation committees to ensure water supply, Baiarsingh said around 56% of households are yet to get piped drinking water connections. Wherever the committees have been formed, those are not functioning properly to extend water supply, he added.

He further said drinking water supply projects are yet to see light of the day in as many as 160 blocks in the state. Only 67% of schools and 54% of Anganwadi centres have the pipe water connections so far, he added.

With natural water sources getting dried up, the people are unable to get water from the tubewells as most of those have been rendered defunct for lack of repair in time.

Since the drinking water crisis will deepen as summer advances, the BJP leader demanded the government to take steps on a war-footing in this regard for relief of the people.