Water in News A bulletin of media coverage of water issues

A compilation of media coverage by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation

1


A daily compilation of media coverage of water issues
for 08.05.2014, Thursday







Contents
Rural Drinking Water ............................................................................................................................... 2
Urban Drinking Water .............................................................................................................................. 3
Industrial use ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Dispute .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Irrigation .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Water Management ................................................................................................................................. 5
Sanitation ................................................................................................................................................ 6
Dam/Reservoir/River Infrastructure ........................................................................................................ 6
Good News.............................................................................................................................................. 6

Dear readers,
Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC) is extremely happy to present you Water in
News bulletin for May 8, 2014. Todays media coverage of water issues have been captured in the
following heads: (a) Policy/Programme Watch, (b) Industrial Use, (c) Dispute, (d) Rural Drinking Water,
(e) Urban Drinking Water, (f) Irrigation, (g) Water Management, (h) Water Pollution, (i) Water Disaster,
(j) Sanitation, and (k) Dam/River/ Reservoir infrastructures.
RCDC hopes that the bulletin will be found useful. Your inputs, comments, feedbacks and critics will help
us improve the bulletin. Kindly write to rcdcbbsr@gmail.com, bimal@rcdcindia.org.
Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
RCDC
WATER IN NEWS
Todays bulletin covers water news and issues featured in newspapers and web portals published on
08.05.2014. We have covered print or e-paper editions of the following newspapers: (a) Sambad (all
Samaj (Bhubaneswar), (f) Samay (Bhubaneswar), (g) Times of India (Bhubaneswar), (h) Pioneer
(Bhubaneswar), (i) New Indian Express (Bhubaneswar). Besides we have covered web portals of (a) The
Hindu, (b) The Telegraph, (c) Orissadiary, and (d) Odisha Sun Times. Additionally we have also covered
magazine Down To Earth.
Water in News A bulletin of media coverage of water issues

A compilation of media coverage by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
2
Rural Drinking Water
PWS derelict since its beginning 6 years ago,
villagers drinking fluoride high water, official
says maintaining the project is not his concern:
Sambalpur edition of Dharitri informs that
residents of Bisibahal village, with 2000
population, in Komna block of Nuapada district
are using fluoride high water. The report alleges
that 20 lakh rupees have been spent on pipe
water supply project in two phases since 2007-
08. But the project is yet to function as the
design of the project has been faulty and
execution of work quite substandard. The report
further says that villagers have submitted
memorandum and threatened agitation. The
report informs that RWSS Engineer shied away
from taking responsibility of the project as the
project was under Swajaldhara scheme. The
officer instead said that the project is the
responsibility of the villagers, not of his
department.
PWS project of Saudi village in Balasore yet to
restore fully after Phailin: Balasore edition of
Sambad reports that the Pipe Water Supply
project of Saudi village in Bahanaga block of
Balasore district is yet to fully function after
Phailin cyclone. The PWS project was defunct for
3 months since Phailin. It was later restored, but
only partially. The report says that post-Phailin
repair of roads caused extensive damage to the
pipe lines. Many parts of the village are not
getting water. The Sarapanch says that RWSS is
department is doing nothing even after many
intimations, but RWSS officials say that they
have never been informed.
PWS project of Tileimal in Jharsuguda defunct
since 7 years: Sambalpur edition of Prameya
reports that the Jaladhara pipe water supply
project meant to supply water to Baddumuria
and Madhupur villages of Tileimal Panchayat in
Laikera block of Jharsuguda district lies defunct
since last 7 years. The report says that pipes
cracked within one month of projects
commission 7 years ago as the quality was very
poor and execution of work substandard. The
project is lying defunct since then. Tileimal
Sarpanch squarely blames RWSS department for
neglect and poor quality of work. He further
says that inspite of numerous request and
raising of the issue in the Panchayat Samiti
meeting the the project has not been restored.
He has threatened public agitation. The Samiti
Member has demand probe against substandard
work.
Acute water scarcity in Deogarh villages as
more than half of PWS projects are defunct:
Sambalpur edition of Sambad informs that
Deogarh district is reeling under acute water
scarcity. It says that 70 out of 122 pipe water
supply projects in the district are not working.
Crores of rupees spent on PWS projects are lying
unutilised due to various reasons. The report
lists few names of villages where PWS projects
are not working. They are: Rengalipali,
Badkudar, Tarang, Malehipada, Reamal,
Medinipur, Darjimunda, Laimura, Mahasindhu
and Khilei. The report also informs that residents
of Sado village in Tileibani Panchayat are facing
serious water scarcity. They are going 3 kms to
bath. The report cautions that the summer is
going to pile agonies on helpless people if the
projects are not made functional on a war
footing.
Village in Balishankara block of Sundargarh
facing severe water scarcity: Rourkela edition of
Sambad reports that Bharnapada habitation in
Kaintara village of Karuanbahal Panchayat of
Balishankara block is facing huge water scarcity.
The only tubewell in the habitation is not being
able to meet demand of 150 populations.
People are going to IB rivers two kilometres
away to bath and for other domestic needs.
Sonepur RWSS says everything OK but rural
Sonepur is in grip of acute water crisis: New
Indian Express and Pragativadi report of acute
Water in News A bulletin of media coverage of water issues

A compilation of media coverage by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
3
water scarcity from various parts of Sonepur
district. RWSS official though has mentioned
that all 8470 tubewells of the district are
working.
Urban Drinking Water
Jatani water scarcity worsens: An almost full
page report in Prameya says that Jatani
residents who are dependent on PHED supply
are having a harrowing time. Most parts of the
town are not getting even one hour of water
supply. The report also says if power supply is
disrupted for 3-4 hours on a day then PHED
supply stops on the next day. The PHED Junior
Engineer blames low voltage power supply at
Kakudia pump house as the reason for the
problem. He says that the pump requires to run
for 18 hours to fill up the main tank but that is
not being possible for poor quality of power
supply. Informing that though additional
borewells have been provided in the town to
improve situation, supply from Naraj only can
solve the problem.
Bhawanipatna getting less than half of water it
requires, water from Hati river remains a pipe
dream: An investigative report in Sambalpur
edition of Prameya informs that the PHED is
supplying only 4.2 MLD water against
Bhawanipatnas demand of 9 MLD. The 10 year
old project to supply water from Hati river
continues to prolong. The Hati river project had
started in 2004 with Rs 10 Crore funding from
RLTAP. Laying of pipeline was almost complete.
But major length of the pipeline was damaged
during highway expansion. PHED official
estimate that repairing of damaged pipeline will
require a further Rs 2.5 Crore. While water
supply Hati river stays incomplete, distribution
work initiated with UIDSSM funding of Rs 9.86
Crore too is making tardy progress. The report
says in spite of an expenditure of Rs 27.86 Crore
and 10 years of time, the project remains a pipe
dream. Lack of coordination between PHED and
National Highway officials is to be blamed, says
the report.
Deogarh getting only 1.5 MLD water against a
demand of 4 MLD: A report in Sambalpur
edition of Sambad informs that Deogarh town is
getting only 1.5 liter of water against a demand
of 4 liters.
Kuchinda residents complain as illegal
withdrawal rise from PHED pipelines: A report
in Sambalpur edition of Prameya informs that
people in lower reaches of water supply
network in Kuchinda town are not getting water
as people in upper area are illegally lifting water
from the pipelines through pumps.
Puri city wasting water, rural areas facing
shortage: A report in Dharitri says that while
water is being wasted in Puri city, thousands of
people in rural areas of the district are facing
acute water stress. The report tries to make a
calculation of water waste in Puri city. It informs
that 43 small and 8 large vehicle servicing points
alone are using 30,000 liters of water per day.
Hotel, restaurants and other business
establishments are drawing water without
control. Lack of coordination between PHED and
Municipality is leading to wastage of water as
broken pipelines and open taps are not been
attended to. PHED Executive Engineer says that
repair and maintenance is municipalitys
responsibility. Municipality Executive officer
says that he is not aware about this. The report
informs that while urban Puri is wasting water
people in rural areas are facing distress as
groundwater levels have gone down
considerably rendering many sources defunct.
Drinking water supply pipe and tap inside
drain, Puri residents drinking contaminated
water: Dhartri reports that water supply pipe
along with a supply is submerged inside a drain
near Khakimatha Nuasahi of Puri town. The
report carries a photo of people collecting from
that source. PHED Executive Engineer said that
Water in News A bulletin of media coverage of water issues

A compilation of media coverage by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
4
he was not aware about such state. He has
promised action.
Industrial use
POSCO gets water allocation from Mahanadi
and Hansu: Down to Earth informs about state
government approval to POSCO. The reports
quotes Jagatsinghpur District Collector S K
Mallick saying, The water resources
department has informed POSCO that it can
draw 138,000 cumecs (cubic meter per second)
of water from the Mahanadi river at Jobra
barrage for the project work. During the first
phase, POSCO will get 69,000 cumecs water
from December 2018. From 2021, during the
second phase, POSCO will get another 69,000
cumecs. POSCO will also receive 3,400 cumecs
water from the river Hansua from June 16, 2016
till December 2018 for the construction work,
said Mallick.
POSCO will not be allowed a drop from Hansua,
PPSS warns: Samaya informs that Poso
Pratirodh Sangram Samitis has opposed state
governments approval to POSCO. PPSS has
declared that it will not allow a drop of water
from Hansua.
POSCO water approval from Mahandi opposed:
Sambad has carried Posco Pratirodh Sangram
Samitis opposition to the recent approval to
POSCO to use water from Mahanadi and
Hansua. The PPSS leadership has threatened to
intensify agitation. The report also covers
opinion of Posco supporters. But the report has
also quoted them saying that farmer interest
should be protected first.
Four parties oppose state governments water
approval to POSCO: Samaj reports that CPI,
CPI(M), Samajbadi party and Forward Block have
strongly opposed state governments approval
to POSCO to draw water from Mahanadi and
Hansua rivers. After opposition to the earlier
plan to source 125 Cusec water from Jobra
barrage, state government had committed for
alternative arrangement. The parties have
strongly condemned the state government for
again allowing POSCO water from Mahanadi,
especially at time when the election has just
concluded.
POSCO water approval illegal, says WIO:
Sambalpur edition of Prameya has quoted
Ranjan Panda, Convener of Water Initiatives
Odisha. Sri Panda has opposed state
governments recent approval to POSCO to draw
water from Mahanadi and Hansua rivers. He has
said that government has not assessed water
status of both Mahanadi and Hansua. Without
doing that how can the government take such a
decison, he has alleged. He has further said that
such a order when the election code of conduct
is in force is condemnable.
NTPC seeks state government nod to lay
pipeline from Hirakud to its mega plant in
Darlipali: NTPCs ultra mega power plant in
Darlipali of Sundargarh which has already got
approval for water from Hirakud, has sought
state government nod to lay pipelines. Energy
department of state government has advised
district administration to speed up the process.
The pipeline will go through 525 acre of land.
The project will begin after environment and
other clearance.
Dispute
Jaunra river dispute surfaces again: Sambad
carries that the Jaura river dispute has surfaced
again as Sangharsh Samiti demands fresh
consultation between the state and the Centre.
The report briefly discusses about the history of
the dispute between Odisha and Chattisgarh.
Stating that the 1975 accord between Odisha
and Chhattisgarh is not in the interest of Odisha,
the Sangharsh Samiti has demanded
cancellation of the agreement. The Samiti has
submitted a memorandum to the state and
Central government.
Water in News A bulletin of media coverage of water issues

A compilation of media coverage by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
5
CPI demands white paper on Pollavaram:
Prameya informs that CPI has demanded the
state government to publish a white paper on
Pollavaram.
Pollavaram opposed, Samata Kranti Dal
submits memorandum to President through
Malkangiri Collector: Jeypore edition of Sambad
and New Indian Express inform that Samata
Kranti Dal has submitted a memorandum to the
President of India through Malkangiri Collector.
The Dal has demanded scrapping of Pollavarm
project citing severe social, environmental and
economic loss, including losses in Odisha.
WR Principal Secretary says Odisha will knock
SC over Centres decision of Pollavaram
Authority: All papers of Odisha have
prominently covered Odisha governments
decision to move Supreme Court over decision
on Pollavaram authority. Sambad informs that
Odisha Water Resource Department Principal
Secretary Sri Suresh Mahapatra has informed
that Odisha will file writ in Supreme Court
against Central government decision to on
Pollavaram. Samaj informs that Odisha
government is consulting senior advocate Raju
Ramchandran to file petition. Samaj also quotes
Principal Secretary Sri Mahapatra saying that the
state government is waiting for details on the
Central governments approval to Pollavaram
authority. Primafacie, it seems that formation of
the authority is a violation of conditions of
Godavari authority, said Mahapatra. This
decision also violates earlier order made by the
Court. The project is likely to submerge 100
square kilometres and 100 villages of Malkangiri
district. It is a violation of earlier committed of
zero submergence in Odisha. Odisha will file the
petition very soon, said the Principal Secretary.
Indian Express adds that the authority will
function under the Union Water Resources
ministry and is meant to expedite the process of
environmental and investment clearances of the
project. State government is also opposing the
height of dam.
Supreme Court gives not to increase
Mullaperiayar dam height: Pragativadi informs
that Supreme Court has allowed Tamilnadu to
increase height of Mullaperiaya dam to 142 ft.
The decision has been welcomed in Tamilnadu
whereas Kerala has called for strike.
Irrigation
Lift-Irrigation woes in Balangir continue,
projects defunct, funds unutilised: Sambalpur
edition of Sambad carries an investigative report
of lift irrigation status in Balangir. It says that
only 7-8 of the 34 lift irrigation projects set up
under drought relief grant in 2011-12 are
working. In year 2012-13 the district had
received fund for 2447 deep borewells under
Biju Krushak Yojna. But it could complete only
1101 borewells. The report further says that
quality of work under BKY is very poor and many
newly installed pumps are not working. The
report quotes Lift Irrigation official who blame
the electric distribution company for majority
problems. Frequent power disruption and low
voltage problem is rendering lift irrigation drive
unsuccessful. The low voltage problem is very
acute in Gudvela and Deogaon block. Quoting
officials the report also informs that Balangir
district has 838 river lift irrigation points out of
which 35 are not working.
Water Management
Water bodies in Sambalpur in deep neglect,
Sambalpur suffering serious scarcity: Sambalpur
edition of Sambad has placed a large report on
pathetic status of ponds and other water bodies
within Sambalpur urban area. It says that none
of the 26 ponds of the city are in usable
condition because of serious neglect of the
water bodies. People are in deep distress and in
some case forced to use severely polluted water
of the ponds. The report also mentions about
historical significance of the ponds and their
past days of glory. People have made numerous

A compilation of media coverage by
representations to revive the ponds but
authorities have not taken any effort.
Soil filling of water bodies in Bala
Locals have opposed filling of two ponds,
Bagbrundaban and Golapokhari. Owner of both
the ponds were planning to construct shopping
complex over it. As per existing regulations and
Supreme Court order water bodies
is under private ownership, cannot be converted
to any other category and soil filling of water
bodies is illegal. The locals have taken this
matter to Court which has ordered a stay on any
work. Chairman of Balasore has assured that
once the matter is solved in Court t
bodies will be restored back.
Sanitation
Neglect by Sambalpur Municipality negating
community drive to keep ring road clean:
report in Sambalpur edition of Sambad blames
the Sambalpur Municipality for failing to keep
ring road clean. The report says that because of
civil society intervention and participation the
ring road was cleaned. But Municipality is
dumping stinking garbage on the roadside and
failing to maintain cleanness of the road.
Nalakunda in Bhubaneswar neglecte
historic Nalakunda of Bhubaneswar is full of
garbage and other waste.


(RCDC seeks your inputs and ideas to
make it more comprehensive and user
friendly. All inputs will be appropriately
credited to the contributor/author.
Water in News A bulletin of media coverage of water issues
A compilation of media coverage by Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
representations to revive the ponds but
authorities have not taken any effort.
Soil filling of water bodies in Balasore opposed:
Locals have opposed filling of two ponds,
Bagbrundaban and Golapokhari. Owner of both
the ponds were planning to construct shopping
s per existing regulations and
Supreme Court order water bodies, even if that
cannot be converted
to any other category and soil filling of water
bodies is illegal. The locals have taken this
matter to Court which has ordered a stay on any
work. Chairman of Balasore has assured that
once the matter is solved in Court the water

Neglect by Sambalpur Municipality negating
community drive to keep ring road clean: A
report in Sambalpur edition of Sambad blames
the Sambalpur Municipality for failing to keep
ad clean. The report says that because of
civil society intervention and participation the
ring road was cleaned. But Municipality is
dumping stinking garbage on the roadside and
failing to maintain cleanness of the road.
Nalakunda in Bhubaneswar neglected: The
historic Nalakunda of Bhubaneswar is full of
Bhubaneswar stare flooded monsoon
are choked: Pragativadi has a report which says
that many important drains are chok
BMC has not hold its meeting because of
election conduct and the agencies
sanitation has not extension.
expresses apprehension that BMC has very little
time before monsoon to clean city drains
Dam/Reservoir/River I
Ratnachira river breach cause water logging:
Sambad has carried a photograph of a river
breach in Ratnachira river. The report says that
after water supply in the River water is flooding
various parts including the bypass road rom
Sakhigopal temple to the college.
Good News
Transgender community opens Jalachhatra in
Bhubaneswar: The transgender community has
opened a Jalachhatra near Indradha
Bhubaneswar. At a time when Municipality and
other concerned bodies have failed to provide
water, this initiative is drawing a lot of praise
says the report in Prameya.





REGIONAL CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Plot No: HIG-26, K-6
Housing Scheme, Phase-II,
Kalinga Vihar, Bhubaneswar -
Odisha, India.


our inputs and ideas to
make it more comprehensive and user
friendly. All inputs will be appropriately
credited to the contributor/author.
A bulletin of media coverage of water issues
Regional Centre for Development Cooperation
6
Bhubaneswar stare flooded monsoon as drains
Pragativadi has a report which says
hat many important drains are choked. The
BMC has not hold its meeting because of
agencies in charge of
has not extension. The report
expresses apprehension that BMC has very little
to clean city drains.
River Infrastructure
Ratnachira river breach cause water logging:
Sambad has carried a photograph of a river
breach in Ratnachira river. The report says that
er water supply in the River water is flooding
various parts including the bypass road rom
Sakhigopal temple to the college.
Good News
Transgender community opens Jalachhatra in
The transgender community has
opened a Jalachhatra near Indradhanu market of
Bhubaneswar. At a time when Municipality and
other concerned bodies have failed to provide
water, this initiative is drawing a lot of praise
says the report in Prameya.
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