The seven lakh litre capacity reservoir built with assistance from DANIDA is awaiting inauguration for over six months while people are suffering for supply of safe water.

About one lakh people of the coastal town need about 16 lakh gallons of water daily but the Pourasabha supplies only around four lakh gallons.

All the seven water supply pumps in the town are in dilapidated conditions.

Five of those are under the Pourasabha and one under the Public Works Department (PWD). Local DANIDA officials are responsible for the rest one.

Three pumps run by the Pourasabha and the one by PWD are on the verge closure because of their ramshackle condition. The DANIDA's pump has been abandoned, the sources said.

The condition of the rest two is not good also. Water supply is often interrupted because of the old pump machines.

Talking to this correspondent recently, many residents in Nabab Para, Puran Bazer, Chak Bazar, Kathpatti, Cherpara, Sabujbagh and Shimulbagh areas said the Pourasabha can not supply even one third of their water needs.

On the other hand, the number of hand tube wells is also inadequate.

Five new tube wells have been sunk by DANIDA under its Water and Sanitation Project.

When contacted, Pourasbha Chairman Mostaq Ahmed said the people's need will be met soon when the newly constructed overhead water reservoir will be put into service.