Minister directs the drinking water department to remain vigilant and geared up to meet the dry season ahead
The pine trees are a threat to the water bodies and the drinking water department would enter into a dialogue with the forest department on a plan to replace pine trees with broad leafed plants near the water bodies. The minister for drinking water Bishan Singh Chufal disclosed this during an interaction with the media persons at Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday. He added that storage capability of the water bodies in the state has decreased over the years due to the landslides, construction of roads and blasting activities. “ In such a situation we need to have a long term plan for longevity and revival of the water bodies which are a source of drinking water,’’ he said.
The minister said that he has asked the department officials to remain vigilant and geared up to meet the dry season ahead. “This year we had less rainfall due to which there is less water in the water bodies. Many of them have already dried up. I have asked the department to prepare a plan to provide drinking water in the villages located within 100 metres of roads by tankers. The habitations located at a distance from the roads would be provided water by mules. Water would also be pumped from the rivers to the tanks wherever needed,’’ he said.
Chufal said that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 100 drinking water projects have been submitted to the department. “I have asked the officers to clear the projects costing more than Rs two crore within a month and the projects costing less than Rs two crore would be cleared by the district magistrates concerned,’’ he said.
The minister added that the ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission with an objective to provide drinking water tap in every household is going on satisfactorily and the mission would be completed in the year 2022. “I have directed the officers to complete the mission before time and make timely payments to the contractors,’’ he said. On a stern note the newly sworn in minister said that the action would be taken against the officers found involved in laxity and corruption.
Thursday, 18 March 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
