Aradi: In yet another case of rural neglect, people of Palatpur village in Nandapur panchayat under Chandbali block in Bhadrak district, are compelled to drink contaminated water.
The village has a population of 1000, but they suffer a lot in the absence of basic amenities like road and drinking water.
Adding to their woes are periodical natural calamities when high tides inundate the village and turn the soil saline.
After recent cyclones, the drinking water problem has become more acute, locals said.
Endorsing their grievance, ward member Manoranjan Bhoi said, “Drinking water has been scarce.
The village has three tube wells, but one of them is not working.
Though the surroundings are nauseating, we have no way but to use the tube well water for drinking, cooking and bathing,” the residents said.
The villagers said that use of such dirty water is a major health problem.
The villagers demanded setting up of two more tube wells besides repairing the existing ones and a drinking water project at Palatpur.
He assured that steps would be taken to repair the tube wells and if necessary, new tube wells will be set up.