Bhubaneswar, Dec 24 (IANS): Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday declared a Rs. 100 crore package for Sambalpur city which has been hit by a jaundice outbreak.

"About Rs.100 crore will be invested in strengthening and upgrading the distribution network of pipe water supply in Sambalpur Municipal Corporation. As an immediate measure, 500 syntax tanks with about six lakh litre capacity will be positioned along with 50 tractor mounted tanks at various locations to meet the drinking water requirement in the affected areas," said the chief minister.

Patnaik, accompanied by Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Chief Secretary G.C. Pati and Health secretary Arati Ahuja, visited the area Wednesday to review the situation.

He announced a Rs.60 crore package for renovation of three nullahs Dhobijor, Haradjor and Tangana that drain into river Mahanadi.

He said that about 50 community toilet blocks with 500 toilet seats in each would be built to address the shortage of toilets in the town.

He said a state-level team has been camping in Sambalpur for carrying out surveillance and taking up various activities such as testing water and blood sample and carrying out awareness drive in the city.

So far, 1,547 people have tested positive since May while 17 people died of jaundice. The government is providing medicines free of cost to the jaundice affected people.

A poor drainage system and damaged water supply pipelines appear to be the main reason behind the jaundice outbreak and spread of the disease in the town, having a population of nearly two lakh.

Meanwhile, a central team is likely to arrive Odisha Wednesday evening to oversee the situation in Sambalpur. The union health ministry took the decision after Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan apprised the Health Minister J.P. Nadda Wednesday of the situation.