As Cuttack continues to reel under an intense summer heatwave, residents are struggling to cope with the unbearable weather and high humidity levels. While people are already finding it difficult to step outdoors due to the sweltering conditions, a concerning issue related to public drinking water facilities has come to light at the busy Chhatra Bazaar area.

Despite the extreme heat and increased need for access to drinking water, irregularities have been observed at the permanent water kiosk installed at the crowded marketplace. The facility, which was set up around six months ago to provide relief to the public, reportedly remains non-functional in terms of its cooling system.

According to local sources, the machine installed to provide chilled drinking water at the kiosk has not been operational since its installation. As a result, pedestrians and local traders operating in Chhatra Bazaar have expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction over the situation.

Also Read: Odisha summer heat to intensify further in coming days; Red Warning issued for several districts

With temperatures soaring and heat conditions becoming increasingly harsh, people expected the water kiosk to serve as a major relief point. However, the failure of the cooling system has sparked resentment among daily commuters and shopkeepers, who are now questioning the utility and maintenance of the public facility.

“The kiosk was constructed six months ago. However, it has remained defunct since then, causing significant inconvenience and hardship for both vendors and the public in the area,” said a local vendor.

“Local vendors and residents are facing severe difficulties in accessing drinking water, as there are no proper facilities available in the area and the kiosk has remained defunct for a long time,” said another local vendor.