CS Bardhan asks for action plan for installing solar energy systems in water schemes
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The State chief secretary Anand Bardhan directed the Peyjal Nigam and other related agencies to develop an action plan for installing solar energy systems while chairing the 12th high- powered committee (HPC) meeting on the World Bank-assisted Uttarakhand Water Supply Programme (2018-2025) for peri-urban areas held at the State secretariat on Wednesday.
During the meeting, CS emphasised the need of obtaining groundwater level reports before installing tubewells. “These reports should be made available to the Peyjal Nigam and Jal Sansthan so as to enable them to take steps to solve or mitigate water scarcity prevailing in several areas,” he said.
He also gave directives for ensuring 100 per cent water quality, continuous water supply, maintaining energy efficiency in pumping to reduce electricity consumption, enhancing customer satisfaction and improving the complaint redressal mechanism.
Further, the meeting revealed that the World Bank-aided Uttarakhand Water Supply Programme (2018-2025), which has a budget of Rs 1,042 crore, is set to complete on June 30. The World Bank has contributed Rs 834 crore while the Uttarakhand government’s contribution amounts to Rs 208 crore.
The programme covers 22 towns across five districts: Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar. The goal is to ensure water supply for 16 hours per day at a minimum pressure of 12 metres, benefiting a targeted population of 4.35 lakh at 135 LPCD (liters per capita per day). The project also includes provisions for metering with a 100 percent volumetric tariff.
