Water Treatment Plant Turns into a Reptile Habitat – A Reflection of Rural Water Supply Department’s Neglect
Kakatpur, 20/5 – A government-funded water treatment plant constructed with crores of rupees near Mulgada Square in Kakatpur block under the Astaranga section of the Nimapada sub-division, which falls under the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Division of Puri, has now turned into a breeding ground for reptiles instead of serving its intended purpose of supplying clean drinking water.
Once envisioned as a reliable source of clean water, the facility is now plagued with multiple issues. The environment around the plant has become unhealthy, with a long-broken boundary wall that has not been repaired for years. As a result, the campus has turned into open grazing ground for stray cattle.
Overgrown weeds and wild vegetation have taken over the premises, attracting various reptiles. Due to this, employees are afraid to stay at the plant at night. The absence of a permanent system for discharging wastewater from the plant has led to stagnant, polluted water around the premises, creating a foul smell.
The eastern boundary wall of the plant, which is about 400 meters long, collapsed two years ago and remains unrepaired. Due to this, cows, goats, and sheep freely roam the area, and the facility now resembles a pastureland. Several key structures like the water filter house, compressor house, water reservoir, pump house, sump house, backwash water tank, bleaching dosing unit, and overhead water tank are housed within the campus. Many of these contain valuable machinery, which is now at risk due to the lack of proper fencing and security.
The broken wall raises concerns about possible future mishaps or theft of equipment from the plant. The public is questioning who will be held responsible if such incidents occur. The growing list of problems at the plant has prompted demands from locals for immediate repairs.
They are calling for prompt reconstruction of the boundary wall, proper leveling and securing of the open areas within the premises, and maintaining a clean environment. People are also questioning the actual purpose of this costly project, as it currently serves no real utility and has instead become a source of concern and public dissatisfaction.
