There is some good news in store for Ranchi amid the brouhaha over drinking water shortage. The residents of the Capital would be assured of water supply even in a dry season.
The Irrigation Department working in tandem with the PHED has initiated a project that would fill one of the three major water storages available for Ranchi - Hatia dam - with piped water from outside. The ambitious project now underway aims to end the crisis permanently.
"We have some convincing facts before us suggesting lower rainfall being witnessed in Nagri block area that is the major catchment area of Hatia dam. This often left the reservoir half-filled, far below its full capacity. As the supply area of the dam is very important considering present and future requirements of Ranchi, we are working on a pipeline mechanism. A technical committee of expert engineers from the Irrigation Department and PHED has been formed for survey and to study the feasibility," AP Singh, Principal Secretary of Drinking Water and Sanitation Department told 'The Pioneeron' on Tuesday.
Hatia dam having gross storage capacity of 34.1 million cubic meter (MCM) got less than half filled this time around. Against its peak of 22 feet the reservoir is left with just 9 feet of water at present setting the alarm bell ringing in vast localities such as Doranda, North and South Office Para, AG Colony, SAIl Colony, HEC Colony, Hinoo, Airport, Hatia railway station and Hawainagar. Besides, filling the dam with its full capacity is equally significant considering the Core Capital Area upcoming on the HEC land.
Putting in front more details, PHED Engineer-in-Chief of Heeralal Prasad affirmed that a team of engineers of the concerned Department has conducted 2-3 rounds of field visits, surveyed the prospecting areas for water supply to the dam and also presented an interim report.
"We are through with the project. The team has visited Patratu of Ramgarh district, Sajna of Khunti district and also a river spot of Gumla district. local engineers of the Irrigation Department said that surplus water is available there in the monsoons which can be transported to the Hatia dam. This would fill the dam in case of scanty rainfall in rainy seasons," said the official.
On its part, the team through the Urban Development Department has forwarded the interim survey report to the Ranchi Municipal Corporation to prepare a DPR for laying the pipeline for transporting water to feed Ranchi. Heeralal Prasad also submitted that the project which would take at least two years time to complete is expected to cost nearly Rs 200 crore.