PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
In response to a video circulating on social media about a non-operational water ATM along the Char Dham Yatra route, the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has claimed that the unit was repaired and made operational immediately after the issue was brought to its attention.
The department emphasised that action was taken as soon as the matter came to light. The social media video showed that the UJS water ATM located on the Char Dham Yatra route was not working, which raised concerns for the pilgrims.
Talking to The Pioneer, the secretary (Appraisal) at UJS Maneesh Semwal stated that the said water ATM featured in the video was situated at Muni ki Reti in Rishikesh. Upon receiving complaints regarding this issue, the concerned officials took immediate action and successfully repaired the water ATM, restoring its functionality.
Semwal further said that to ensure a smooth experience for visitors during the Yatra, several water facilities (water structures and water dispensers) have been installed along the route. These include 582 Tank Type Stand Posts (TTSP), 82 water ATMs/water purifiers, 1,071 hand pumps and 97 water tankers. Additionally, a total of 26 departmental and 71 hired tankers have been deployed for further support. He said that all these water facilities along the Yatra route are currently operational, with designated teams assigned for the regular monitoring of these water structures. To provide pilgrims with information about the said available drinking water facilities, 308 signboards and 18 LED displays have also been installed. The signboards display details about the distance to water structures along the Yatra route, while the LED displays convey general messages about water quality and its importance.
