No let-up in N’pada fluoride-hit villagers’ woes

People of Dabri village of Boden block have given up hope of getting fluoride-free drinking water since long.

The village has about 200 households with eight hand pumps, but none of these water sources is fluoride free according to the villagers. "The administration had marked those with red colour long back stating those unsafe for drinking, but due to non-availability of water we are forced to use those sources," the villagers said.

Most of the people above 40 years complain of joint swelling and waist stiffness and pain. Asanti Hans (35) has a swollen ankle, Pita Hans (40) has knee pain and there are many others with such complaints. As the people grow older, the complications increase.

Information available in the website of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, however, mentions that only one out of the eight hand pumps, which is located in Uparbaheli pada is unsafe. One located in Harijan Pada is safe and the rest of the sources have not been tested. "This report is not true," said the villagers, when they are informed about the website report. "All we know is our suffering has not lessened," said Sukanti Hans (55) who has become totally immobile due to pain and stiffness in waist. The villagers reveal that, the then MLA Hitesh Bagartti had allotted fund from MLA LAD share for installation of a pipe water supply project by digging an open well. The well was dug, underground pipes were laid to all the habitations of the village and electric poles were also erected for installing a transformer, but no further progress was made. “There is sufficient water in the well and the source is sufficient to feed water to all the habitations of our village," informed the villagers and demanded installation of a transformer. "The total cost for electricity would be about Rs 5 lakh," said an official of RWSS department.

In the meantime, the Government has included the village in the Mega Pipe Water Scheme. "Water will be supplied from the Lower Indra Irrigation Project and the responsibility of doing the work has been given to L&T company on EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) mode. But it will take time," informed Sagar Biswal, an engineer of RWSS special project.

The people, however, demand for the PWS from the dug well. "It will take two to three years for the mega project to be completed, because the survey of the project is yet to be started," the villagers apprehended. "Once the mega project is completed the dug well system could be used for irrigation," they opined.