In a striking protest against the persistent drinking water crisis, a large group of women undertook a nearly 20-kilometre padayatra (foot march) carrying earthen pots and water containers to the Block office in Odisha’s Bolangir district on Tuesday.

The incident was reported from Nagaphena village under Belpada block, where women staged the unusual protest to draw the administration’s attention to the severe shortage of drinking water in their area. Beginning early in the morning, the women set out on foot carrying traditional water pots and pitchers in a symbolic demonstration of the hardship they face every day due to the lack of a proper water supply.

According to reports, the villagers have been grappling with drinking water issues for a long time. Residents alleged that although a water tank had been constructed in the village under the Basudha scheme, water supply services have still not been made operational. As a result, villagers continue to suffer and struggle to access basic drinking water facilities.

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The prolonged delay in providing water despite infrastructure being in place has triggered growing frustration among residents. Through the march, the women sought to highlight their grievances and demand immediate intervention from authorities to resolve the issue.

As the protest gathered attention, personnel from Belpada Police Station reportedly reached the spot and held discussions with the protesters in an attempt to pacify the situation and assure them of necessary action.