Kailashahar, Mar 25: A group of villagers from Deorachhara under Gournagar Block on Tuesday staged a blockade on the National Highway 208 at Chinibagan area of Kailashahar, demanding regular supply of drinking water.

The blockade led to severe traffic congestion, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road.

During the protest, villagers stated that there is no permanent source of drinking water in Ward No. 5 of their village. Although the authorities occasionally provide water through tankers, the supply is irregular. For the past week, the village has not received any drinking water. Even when water is supplied, it is done only once every two or three days in minimal quantities, which is insufficient for the entire village. The situation has become dire as the village ponds have dried up over time.

A section of villagers also pointed out that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, water pipelines were installed in the village three years ago, but no water has so far been supplied. Shockingly, they alleged that the water tankers sent by the authorities demand money in exchange for the drinking water supply.

Despite repeated pleas to the local panchayat and ruling party leaders, no action was taken, forcing the villagers to stage the protest. They also claimed that their complaints to the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department officials, both written and verbal, went unanswered.