(a) whether the coastal region of Odisha State is the nerve centre of torrential rains, floods and cyclones;
(b) if so, whether coastal region of the State sea-water causes pollution of drinking water and also a source of water-borne diseases; and
(c) if so, the action plan drawn to address this perennial problem of the residents of the coastal region of this State?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) & (c) Due to proximity to sea, the coastal region of the State is having salinity in drinking water sources. Possibility of water borne diseases due to salinity does not arise. The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department of Government of Orissa is providing safe drinking to rural population in the coastal areas of the State from safe surface/ groundwater sources utilizing the funds available under the centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme. The State Government is also constructing deep tubewells and the well design is finalized scientifically through electrical logging
and provides saline sealing at the saline-fresh water interface to control salinity levels in drinking water sources.