A series of civic and infrastructure-related issues have highlighted the critical urban management problems in Jagdalpur, with problems being faced by residents with contaminated water supply, storm damage and illegal development activities.
The deteriorating situation of water supply has now become a health issue, as some neighbourhoods are apparently receiving drain water from damaged and decayed pipelines as opposed to clean drinking water, the city said. Low-lying residents said that water pressure is so low they are now having to get water from roadside drains and open channels. Poor sanitation was reported with women and children standing inside filthy drains filling utensils, as a result of the shortage. Excessive use of water pumps by locals was also attributed to the worsening of crisis situation. Increasing number of cases of jaundice and other water borne diseases associated with contaminated water supply has become a concern.
Meanwhile there was widespread destruction in the city as a powerful storm and heavy rain struck. Trees were blown over, power was damaged and large hoardings advertising various things were down on major roads, which disrupted the movement of traffic. Transformers and electric wires were damaged and several areas had no power for several hours. Also, large trees were seen falling on residential buildings in Gandhi Nagar and neighbouring localities but no deaths were reported.
At the same time, the administration took an aggressive attitude towards illegal originations of land for agriculture in the controversial Kadli Van area. Authorities by the municipal government stopped unauthorised construction works and bulldozed access roads as they found it was allegedly being sold and divided without approval or land diversion permissions.
The officials cautioned of strict action against unauthorised construction and illegal encroachments, while the residents of Jagdalpur called for long-term solutions to their civic and infrastructure issues.