Talcher, Odisha: As the winter season has not started, residents are already experiencing the Talabeda water crisis effects like in summer. The people of Talabeda village, under Talcher block Kandala panchayat, are struggling with this problem. Usually, summer shows the worst water crisis because rivers, canals, springs, wells, and ponds dry up. But the sad thing is that with about 3 to 4 months left for summer, Talbeda villagers face water shortage. They suffer every day.
Villagers say that the open-pit mining of the Lingaraj coal field causes these problems throughout the year. To provide permanent water to Kandal Panchayat, the government built a tank at the head of Talabeda village through Swajal Dhara. They also laid pipes to supply drinking water to the residents throughout the year.
The government assigned LNT company to install the tank and pipes. However, villagers complain that the company’s arbitrary and low-quality work causes the shortage, contributing to the Talabeda crisis. A month ago, villagers informed the District Magistrate, but the company supplied water for only 7 to 8 days. Also, they did not pay their employees properly. Employees protested, and villagers say they have suffered from water shortage for more than 15 days.
When asked, SDO of RWSS, Shri Sasmal, said that since the company did not complete the work, officials suspended its bill. He added that they already fined the company Rs 79 lakh for improper water supply. However, he claimed he cannot see the people’s problems.
Earlier, MCL Lingaraj Coal Mine supplied water to the village through pipes. Now villagers complain that pipe failures force them to struggle for water in different ways. When asked, Shri Biswal said they gave money to the government to supply water to every village in the panchayat. He questioned why they should intervene, then retracted his statement. These issues intensify the Talabeda water crisis.
Local residents say this situation curses the villagers because both the administration and coal mining authority ignore them. Even though coal mining affects villages and authorities receive CSR and district mineral funds, officials invest this money elsewhere.
Villagers demand that the government provide water to Kandal Panchayat immediately. They warn that a large-scale movement may become unavoidable in the coming days, driven by the ongoing Talabeda water crisis.
