PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has begun preparations for the Kanwad Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on July 11.
The secretary (Appraisal) at the UJS, Maneesh Semwal informed that the preparations are currently underway and will be completed soon before the start of the Yatra. Earlier, the Kanwad Yatra followed highway routes; however, over time, it has transitioned to a dedicated walking path known as the Kanwad Patri. This route begins in Haridwar and concludes in Modinagar. To accommodate the needs of approximately two to three crore Kanwadiyas, arrangements for drinking water are being put in place. Semwal said that directives have been issued to all officials concerned to ensure smooth operations.
Additionally, plans are in motion to hire water tankers and the process of installing standposts for the Kanwadiyas is also underway. It is expected that these installations will be completed shortly at the designated locations. Water tanks, each with a capacity of 3,000 litres, are being installed, with provisions made for refilling the tankers as needed. Water arrangements are also being made at the Kanwad Bazaar, he added.
Semwal further said that besides drinking water, facilities for liquid waste management, washrooms and other amenities are also being ensured. The water arrangements at public toilets, along with the installation of pipelines connecting to these washrooms, have been prioritised. Additionally, suction vehicles have been hired to empty waste from toilets.
Semwal also informed that in areas including Haridwar, Roorkee, Piran Kaliyar, Manglaur, Rishikesh, Lakshman Jhula, Swargashram, Muni Ki Reti, Dhalwala, Tapovan and Neelkanth, water and sewage systems are being established for the Kanwad Yatra. This includes the deployment of 94 tankers, 130 standposts and 67 Tank Type Stand Posts (TTSPs), while also addressing the need for filters, labourers, drivers and field staff, totaling 79 personnel. Further, 48 suction vehicles are required for liquid waste management in areas such as Haridwar, Roorkee, Piran Kaliyar and Manglaur. The preparations are currently underway, and it is expected that they will be completed soon, he added.
