PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed all district magistrates to identify areas suffering from drinking water shortage and to prepare action plans for supplying water to these places. He said this while chairing a review meeting with the DM’s on Friday, focusing on the provision of drinking water during the summer months.
Dhami emphasised the need for officials to accelerate plans for ensuring drinking water supply through pipelines to every village and city in the State, quickly replace malfunctioning tubewells, maintain fire hydrants, ensure afforestation and construction of check dams in catchment areas. He stressed on coordination with Stream and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) to revive water sources and develop a policy for water enrichment. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of utilising solar pumps to ensure water supply in remote areas.
Based on the Meteorological department’s forecasts of extreme heat this year, he reiterated that all district magistrates should identify locations with drinking water shortage and devise a strategy to address the issue. He also encouraged spreading messages about water conservation through schools, Panchayats and social media. To mitigate the impact of forest fires during the summer, Dhami called for the installation of valves in drinking water schemes that run through forested areas to facilitate immediate firefighting. He instructed officials to ensure that the toll-free number for drinking water issues remains operational at all times and that complaints registered through this number are addressed promptly. Additionally, he suggested conducting an intensive campaign to prevent water wastage.
The CM asked the officials for the identification and immediate repair of water leakages, along with the arrangement of buffer materials and labour for repairs. He stressed the importance of promptly repairing damaged motor pumps, electrical equipment and pipe spares, while also ensuring water purity. Additionally, he suggested implementing a GPS-enabled system for monitoring tankers to improve the management of water deliveries and establish regulated rates for private tankers.
Dhami announced plans for constructing small dams and barrages to capture rainwater, preventing wastage and ensuring sustainable water use during the summer. He said that the DMs should identify suitable sites in their districts and submit proposals within three weeks. Further, he informed about the intention to build a series of check dams in the districts. He highlighted that in many mountainous regions, water is still transported by horses and mules and he called for a long-term plan to address these specific challenges.
