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New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Glitches at treatment plant spark drinking water crisis in Sambalpur
SAMBALPUR: Sambalpur city is grappling with a severe drinking water crisis due to frequent technical glitches at Bareipali water treatment plant, leaving thousands of residents across several areas frustrated. The disruption, which is continuing for the past around five days, has caused major inconvenience to people amidst the monsoon rains. The crisis unfolded when a high-capacity transformer at the Bareipali plant caught fire last week, halting water supply to several key areas including Ainthapali, Budharaja, VSS Marg and Dhanupali. A new transformer was brought in from Bhubaneswar on July 4 and made operational. However, the situation worsened when lightning struck another transformer, leading to fresh disruptions. As a result, WATCO officials announced that water supply may remain affected for an indefinite period. Sources said residents of the affected areas have been left scrambling for drinking water, with many expressing frustration over the repeated failures and absence of alternative arrangements. The situation has sparked renewed discussions about the need for long-term improvements in the city's water infrastructure and emergency response capabilities. Amid the growing concerns, Sambalpur collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar visited the Bareipali plant sub-station to review the situation and instructed officials to work out a solution to restore water supply as quickly as possible. WATCO authorities including general manager Brahmeshwar Das assured of arranging water supply in a phased manner across the affected localities. In the meantime, efforts are being made to ensure at least minimal supply across different parts of the city. Das said, 'It is a technical issue and may take a few more days to resolve. However, the water supply has not been completely disrupted. We are ensuring phased supply to different areas for one to two hours daily, and the timing for each locality has been widely shared through the media to keep residents informed.' Sambalpur's existing water supply relies on eight treatment facilities including major plants at Bareipali (40 MLD), Mudipada (11 MLD), Hirakud (9 MLD), and three smaller units in Burla which have long struggled to keep pace with the city's growing population and rising demand. Sources said a Rs 55 crore pipeline replacement project and the proposed new treatment plants - one at Ainthapali with a capacity of 65 MLD and another near Sambalpur University with 35 MLD - are already in motion. Once operational, these plants will not only boost overall treatment capacity but also improve supply consistency and water quality, reducing the risk of service disruptions and waterborne diseases that have historically affected the city, particularly during the monsoon season.
New Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Sambalpur begins Rs 55 crore water pipeline upgrade
SAMBALPUR: After years of recurring waterborne disease outbreaks and mounting public pressure, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) is set to begin major infrastructure upgrade to replace 55 kilometres of outdated and damaged drinking water supply pipelines across the city. This massive project, awarded to Bhubaneswar-based Shivjyoti Conpro Pvt Ltd, will be completed within 18 months at an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore. The most critically damaged pipelines will be replaced in the first phase within six months. This step comes after five jaundice outbreaks since 2014, with the most recent occurring after Sital Sasthi last year, affecting over 150 people. The outbreaks were linked to contaminated water supply caused by pipelines running through open drains, allowing sewage to seep into drinking water lines. In 2014, the then chief minister Naveen Patnaik had announced a complete overhaul of the system, but only partial work was carried out in selected areas, leaving the system vulnerable for nearly a decade. General manager, WATCO, Brahmeshwar Das said, 'The project will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore. In the initial phase, pipelines in the worst condition will be replaced within six months. The overall target is to complete the entire 55-kilometre stretch within 18 months.' WATCO officials said the project will also expand water supply to under-served areas like Balaji colony and Marutivihar with 18,000 new household connections planned, while 8,000 is to be done in first phase. Additionally, two new treatment plants with a combined capacity of 100 MLD are proposed at Ainthapali (65 MLD) and near Sambalpur University (35 MLD). City health officials say diarrhoea, jaundice, and hepatitis remain endemic in parts of Sambalpur during monsoon. The project is expected to significantly reduce the city's vulnerability to waterborne diseases and improve health outcomes for thousands of residents.
