PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has prepared a detailed action plan for the upcoming Kanwad Yatra slated from July 30 to August 11.
Informing this on Monday, the secretary, UJS (Appraisal), Maneesh Semwal said that they play two key roles during the Yatra. “First, we ensure adequate water supply in public toilets along with drinking water facilities. Secondly, we ensure the treatment of the liquid sewage waste generated during the event. With the Yatra approaching, UJS has made sufficient preparations based on the detailed action plan,” he said.
Commenting further, he said that UJS would ensure availability of water for pilgrims and vendors, who set up shops at the Kanwad Bazaar, along the Yatra route and at Kanwad parking areas. “To facilitate smooth supply of water, various water containers will be installed. These arrangements will cover Haridwar, Roorkee, Piran Kaliyar, Manglaur, Rishikesh, Lakshman Jhula, Swargashram, Muni ki Reti, Dhalwala, Tapovan and Neelkanth areas,” he added.
It is learnt that drinking water will be made available at these places through water structures, which include 92 stand posts and 42 tank-type stand posts. For refilling these structures, 82 tankers will be made available. This aside, 76 personnel, including fitters, labourers, drivers and field staff, will be deployed for maintenance of these water structures.
Semwal further informed that the second role of UJS is treatment of liquid sewage waste generated during the event. For this, 56 sewer suction vehicles have been made available, which will collect waste from toilets and take it to STP plants for treatment. “Additionally, 25 cleaning supervisors will be deployed,” he stated, adding that UJS has asked for about Rs 3.4 crore from the Haridwar district administration for all these facilities and preparations for the Yatra.
Further, chief general manager, UJS, D K Singh said that they are also planning to install water LED displays for the Kanwad Yatra to show water quality status to the visitors. He appealed to the pilgrims to use public toilets instead of resorting to open defecation. “This is harmful for all and may spread various ailments among them,” he warned.
