Cuttack: People in Jobra area in Cuttack are living in constant fear of another jaundice outbreak alleging that the local administration has failed to address drainage and drinking water problems in the locality.
According to sources, the leakage in the water pipeline is resulting in contamination and the local residents and the corporator of the area have directly blamed Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is undertaking drainage works, for the water contamination.
The leakage in drinking water pipeline has caused an artificial pond in the area.
The situation has turned more serious with drain water mixing with the drinking water supply, sources added.
“There was leakage in the drinking water pipeline around one and a half months back.
Another resident, Samaresh Ray said “The leakage happened after digging by JICA, which did not even repair it.
There is water and dirt on the road.
Our area is Jaundice and dengue-prone so there is fear of the disease spreading in the area.
JICA has now passed on the responsibility of repairing the pipeline to the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).” Susanta Kumar Ghadei, Executive Officer of PHED, Cuttack said “If we repair the pipeline, it will not be permanent as JICA work is continuing and the hole dug by them continues to exist.
The water pipes are getting disturbed this way.”