Villagers draw and (below) sell water in an unauthorised manner in Paradip. Telegraph pictures

Paradip, April 5: Theft of water has become pronounced in and around the port town. ‘Stolen’ water is sold in every corner of the town’s roads as the authorities look the other way.

To meet the requirement of the roadside eateries and truck operators stranded on the state and national highways, unlawful extraction and sale of groundwater has become a common note. Sight of containers carrying water atop trolley rickshaws is too glaring to escape notice in Paradip. The groundwater resources are being exploited with impunity. Groundwater is being sold illegally on the roadsides of the highways, as drinking water is not easily available there. It has become a money-spinning business for a section of people.

“Over a hundred of roadside dhabas or eateries have sprouted up along the Paradip-Daitary expressway and Paradip-Cuttack state highway. The dhaba owners depend on these water sellers who cater to their daily water needs. Besides, traffic jam on the Paradip-Daitary expressway, otherwise called NH-5(A), has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for these traders. Crews of the stranded cargo-laden trucks have no option but to procure water from these traders to quench their thirst,” said Binayak Swain, member of a civil society group.

The ore-carrying trucks from the mining belts take over a week’s period to reach their destination at Paradip port dockyard. As the traffic moves at a snail’s pace, they remain stranded en-route.

“As no drinking water facility has been extended to them from government agencies, they are forced to buy water from these sellers,” Swain said. Sale of water is brisk. People from a number of villages located on either side of the highways have ventured into this form on unauthorised trade. Very few of them are aware of the fact that trade of this nature amounts to infringement of laws.

“We are left stranded here. We have with us a stove and ration to cook. Today, I bought 20 litres of drinking water at the price of Rs 2 per litre. We will be stranded here for two more days because of the traffic jam. We are left with no option but to buy water from these sellers. Government has taken no steps to provide us with drinking water,” said Sudam Mahakud, a truck driver stranded near Boud junction on the NH-5(A).

The traders have dug up deep borewells and are pumping out water through diesel motor pumps. Then the water is stored in fibre or aluminium containers before making its easy way to prospective buyers. “Those who have indulged themselves in such trade have made a mockery of water-related legislation. It’s really disconcerting to note that the regulating government agencies in a water-scarce area like Paradip have turned a blind eye to such activities,” said Tapan Padhee, a conservationist.

“The Orissa Irrigation Act, 1959 (regulation of use of water), and the Orissa Groundwater (regulation and control of development and management) Rule, 2006, have been enacted to regulate exploitation of groundwater resources. But the legislation stays on paper. Little is being done in terms of its implementation,” Padhee added.

“Though some environmental activists have informed us of such acts, we have not received any written complaint regarding the unauthorised trade of drinking water. We would, however, look into it,” said Antarjami Nayak, executive engineer, rural water & sanitation scheme (RWSS), Jagatsinghpur.