Jagadalpur’s Pond Crisis:  Block Administration Silent Despite Repeated Complaints; Villagers

E. Ranjan, Correspondent, Odishabarta

Kukudakhandi, Ganjam, Aug. 9: Several ponds in Jagadalpur village under Kukudakhandi block are reportedly in a deplorable condition, causing growing concern among local residents. Except for one pond, most of the water bodies in the village are allegedly neglected, heavily silted and polluted.

According to local youths and villagers, repeated complaints have been submitted to the Gram Panchayat, Block administration and district administration seeking immediate steps to clean and restore the ponds. However, they allege that no effective action has been taken so far.

The Pilakhai Pond, which is reportedly used daily for bathing by hundreds of people, including residents of Santoshi Nagar, has become heavily covered with weeds and accumulated silt. Villagers said the stagnant and polluted water has also created a foul smell, making the surroundings unhygienic and unpleasant.

The Malsibandh and Drenibandh ponds are also reportedly lying in a neglected condition. Similarly, the pond located near the village playground is alleged to be heavily polluted and unsuitable for regular use.

Villagers claimed that people using the contaminated water for bathing have complained of skin irritation, itching and other health problems. They further alleged that despite bringing the matter to the notice of local public representatives, no substantial steps have been taken for cleaning or restoration.

The local youths subsequently raised the issue at a block-level public grievance hearing and demanded immediate administrative intervention. However, they alleged that there has been no visible action on their complaints.

With the monsoon underway and continuous rainfall affecting the condition of the ponds, residents have expressed concern over the possible health and sanitation consequences. They said that their demands, raised during the summer, were not given due importance.

The villagers have now warned that if immediate steps are not taken to clean, desilt and restore the ponds, they will launch a protest and stage a dharna in the coming days.

Villagers Threaten Gherao of RI Office(?)

Meanwhile, another issue concerning the Revenue Inspector (RI) office of the Krupasindhupur Circle under Kukudakhandi Tahasil has reportedly added to the resentment among villagers.

Villagers have alleged that the concerned RI is frequently unavailable at the office and does not maintain regular attendance. They further alleged that when she is available, she is often surrounded by two or three youths whom the villagers describe as intermediaries or brokers.

The allegations, however, require verification from the concerned Revenue authorities and the RI before being treated as established facts.

Some villagers have also raised questions about the alleged role of certain youths in identifying government land and facilitating private dealings involving such land. They claimed that a similar practice had allegedly been noticed around two years ago and that the practice is still continuing.

The villagers have demanded that the Tahasil administration conduct an impartial inquiry into these allegations, verify the attendance and functioning of the RI office and examine whether any unauthorized dealings involving government land are taking place.

The villagers have warned that if their grievances are not addressed promptly, they may resort to a gherao of the RI office and intensify their agitation.

Residents have urged the Block and Tahasil administrations to investigate both issues and take appropriate action based on verified facts, while also ensuring that the village ponds are restored before the situation develops into a larger public-health and sanitation concern.