PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
In an effort to prevent accidents at sewage treatment plants and drinking water schemes, the Drinking Water secretary Ranvir Singh Chauhan has directed the appointment of dedicated electrical and mechanical engineers at each plant within one week and made safety, along with energy audits, mandatory for all pumping stations and STPs. This directive was communicated in a recent order to the Chief General Manager (CGM) of Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan and the Chief Engineer (Headquarters) of Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam.
The officials stated that the order stated that Peyjal Nigam and Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan are responsible for constructing, maintaining and operating drinking water schemes and STPs for effective sewage disposal. According to departmental procedures, civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, as subject matter experts, perform these tasks. Any oversight in electrical work at sewage treatment plants could lead to serious accidents.
Officials further stated that in the letter, the secretary emphasised the importance of addressing this sensitive issue. Consequently, the State government decided that the deployment of electrical and mechanical engineers must be ensured within one week under all circumstances to facilitate the successful operation and maintenance of the sewage treatment plants managed by the Peyjal Nigam.
To avert any accidents, a safety audit and an energy audit of pumping schemes and sewage treatment plants must be completed within one month. The secretary has further instructed the officials concerned to ensure strict compliance with these directives and to inform the government accordingly, the officials informed.
