In Balasore district’s Nilagiri block, residents of Chhatrapur panchayat staged a road blockade on State Highway No. 19 demanding urgent resolution of a severe drinking water crisis. The protest was triggered after a major pipeline burst three days ago, cutting water supply to Chhatrapur, Bhagabandh, Chaturipada, Mankidiasahi, and Saruchampa villages.
The standoff escalated as villagers temporarily detained a Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Junior Engineer, insisting on a dedicated water connection. Authorities provided water tankers and assured that supply restoration is underway, pending normalization of power supply.
