Facing huge scarcity of potable water, several groups of women resorted to stage protest with empty pots, water containers in different parts of Bokaro and Dhanbad districts on Tuesday.
While the summer is on its peak, water crisis across the coal and steel belt of the State has thrown life out of gear. The maximum temperature touched 44 degrees Celsius around noon in both districts on Tuesday.
People residing in various areas including Gomia, Kathara, Swang, Jarangdih, Lalpania, Jainamore, Paterwar, Gola, Manpur, Chandankiyari, Hirapur, Kadma, Jharia, Vinod Nagar, Dhaiya, Bartand, Jaiprakash Nagar, Bank More area, Purana Bazar, Manaitand are alleging that this year they are facing a huge water crisis. As per the records over 8,000 water sources dried-up across the two districts, while water levels have also depleted in the Damodar River, Konar River, Garga River and Maithan Dam, official sources said.
Up in arms against the erratic supply of drinking water, the people of Dhanbad today came out on the road and held a strong protest demonstration against the Municipal Corporation and PHED authorities.
Women at New Miner’s Colony, Swang also staged a protest with pots on road and alleged authorities for erratic supply of water.
“We have made several complaints with management, Mukhia, MLA as well as MP but no one paid heed,” alleged Yashoda Devi a local resident.
“We are at work, very soon water supply will be restored in the colony,” said Binod Kumar PO CCL Swang Project.
Facing severe drinking water crisis for quite a long period inhabitants of Manpur village at Chandankiyari block under Bokaro district also staged a sit-in protest. “There is no potable water facility for around 2000 families living in the village.
We are feeling the pangs of water scarcity, forced to trek 3-5 kms daily with containers to fetch water,” said Malti Devi a resident.
The village has government aided 16 tube wells and all are defunct since a long time, wells in the outskirts of the village almost dried up while water level goes down in few of them, said Suman Devi. “We are struggling hard for a single dope of water in the village, facing a very hard time,” she added.
Meanwhile, soaring temperatures not only caused discomfort to the residents but also led to distress fully or partially among the animals and birds residing in and around the district, said Gaghender a resident of Chandaha Village under Chandankiyari block Chas.
Dilip Singh the leader of Jan Morcha threatened a mass protest if water distribution system is not improved within the next three days.
