Rayagada villagers raise concerns over incomplete water supply project

Koraput: A mega water supply project aimed at providing safe drinking water to hundreds of villages in Rayagada district's Kashipur block is running behind schedule, sparking concerns among residents and public representatives.
Initially launched in Nov 2021, the Rs 338-crore project was expected to be completed within 23 months. However, even after an additional 18 months beyond its deadline, the project remains incomplete, with less than 50% of the work accomplished, according to official records.
The project was intended to supply clean drinking water to 425 villages across 24 panchayats in Kashipur block and 49 villages from four panchayats in the adjoining Rayagada block. Surface water from the Indravati river in neighbouring Nabarangpur district was planned to be utilized for the purpose.
A major component of the project, the main five water storage tanks at Dongasil village, has not yet seen any construction activity, further compounding delays.
Residents of Kashipur have voiced their frustration over the situation. "We were hopeful that once the project was commissioned, our long-standing water woes would come to an end. But sadly, there's no sign of completion even now," said Rama Naik, a villager from Dongasil.
On Wednesday, the matter was raised by public representatives at the zilla parishad meeting.
Blaming the delay on the technical complexities involved in sourcing water from a distant location, Gopal Nayak, superintending engineer of rural water supply and sanitation department, Rayagada, said, "All technical aspects are being thoroughly examined, which is causing the delay. We expect to complete the project work by August."