PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The secretary, Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan, (Administration), Satendra Kumar Gupta informed that during the winter months, water discharge declines across the State due to snow accumulation at the sources, particularly at the high- altitude places.
“Each season—summer, monsoon and winter—presents its own issues affecting water supply. In summer, the demand for water surges which impacts availability. During the monsoon, landslides and other factors disrupt the water supply schemes. Similarly, winter presents some formidable challenges. From December onwards, water sources at high altitudes freeze due to snow, leading to a decline in water discharge. The frozen glaciers, which are the primary water supply sources in the State, aggravate things, further affecting the water supply system,” he said.
He acknowledged that this period is particularly challenging for both the consumers and for them. “But to combat the expected disruption, we have set up control rooms in every division across the State. Residents can report complaints regarding low water supply and other issues. These control rooms remain active year-round, but they are put on high alert during the challenging seasons. We are following this protocol this year as well,” Gupta said, adding that they deploy tankers and make other alternative arrangements on the receipt of public complaints.
Moreover, awareness is being raised to inform the people about the toll-free number for complaints as well as the contact details of junior engineers, assistant engineers and other officials by displaying them at the control rooms. “Different media platforms are also being roped in in this awareness campaign,” he said.
Gupta said that timely monitoring and meetings with the officials concerned would be held to address the water supply challenges likely to come up during this winter.
For any water-related complaints, people can contact the toll-free numbers 1800-180-4100 or 1916 for assistance.
