Sambalpur, June 10: Work has started to renovate some 427 traditional water harvesting structures across the district to mitigate water crisis in the district.
Out of the 427, renovation is already going on in full swing in 227 water bodies under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The district administration has set a target to complete renovation of at least 400 water bodies by this month.
The co-ordinator of the MGNREGS in Sambalpur, Shobhit Kumar Bishi, said: "Several water bodies are filled with silt and these water bodies otherwise have an enormous potential to hold water. We have already started renovating these water bodies. These water bodies will automatically be filled following desiltation this monsoon and local people will be able to use the water from there for the rest of the year."
Of the total 427 water bodies, 18 have been identified in Dhankauda block, 62 in Jamankira block, 69 in Jujumura block, 43 in Kuchinda block, 55 in Bamra block, 36 in Maneswar block, 44 in Naktideul block, 58 in Rairakhol block and 42 in Rengali block. Around Rs 26.35 crore will be spent on the renovation.
"Four social organisations have been roped in to create awareness and encourage the labourers for the renovation of the water bodies. Steps have also been taken to ensure that those working get their wage on time in their bank account or post office account," said Bishi.
"This is great initiative by the district administration. It will not only mitigate the water crisis but also provide employment to hundreds of the people," said Harihar Panda, a resident of Dhankauda.
"Several areas of the district experience water crisis during summer. In some areas, the people do not have enough water to even bathe. There was a time when these water bodies catered to the needs of the people. However, the condition of many of them deteriorated because of neglect. But I am really happy that the district administration has initiated steps to renovate these water bodies," said Tikan Sahu, a resident of Kuchinda.
