villagers are facing severe hardship
It is alarming that 250 families depend on seepage water from river sand for drinking purposes.
It seems that the crisis of drinking water in Bilaput village under Munjag Panchayat, located in the Dasmantpur block, has increased with each passing day due to the absence of safe drinking water. In spite of making repeated representations to the authorities concerned, the problem remains unresolved so far.
As all three tube wells of the village remain out of order for months, the people of the village decided to raise funds and install an electric motor in one of the tube wells to draw water. However, the erratic supply of electricity sometimes renders them without water for several days.
The only source of water left at present for the villagers is the seepage water available in the sand of the river. It may be mentioned here that the water is not considered safe for drinking purposes. It is alleged by the villagers that pollution of the water from NALCO red mud pond area is causing the death of the fishes and also affecting cattle and other animals in the same manner. Clothes when washed using this water change color.
However, carrying the pots of water everyday via the forest route to the river has proved very tough for the womenfolk. Alongside, the threat of theft and unsafe conditions in the nights have made the matter worse for the villagers. The hope for a permanent solution still prevails among the villagers.
According to the MLA from the constituency of Laxmipur, consultations have already been done with the concerned department officials and plans would soon be made to ensure safe drinking water supply to the villages facing the problem. However, the villagers warned that if nothing is done on time, they would organize protests on the main road soon.
Now, the question is, when will the villagers of Bilaput finally get safe drinking water?
