THe Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Kusum Mahdele has directed to restart piped water schemes found closed during physical verification by April 15. Mahdele was reviewing drinking water situation during summer at meeting of PHE engineers here on Saturday. Mahdele said that piped water schemes lying closed for various reasons should be repaired at the earliest. The departmental staff should also given information to newly elected sarpanchas about piped water schemes and urge them to cooperate to re-start closed schemes. She said that there should be no lack of materials required for running piped water schemes. Mahdele informed that a State-wide survey of handpumps was undertaken in March. Most of the handpumps found close during survey have been re-started.
Kusum Mahdele said that responsibility of making available drinking water to people during summer lies with departmental staff. Therefore, there must be no lack of drinking water supply. People should get drinking water smoothly. She directed to use SMS-based system for repair of handpumps. This system should be started from May 1. SMS should be forwarded to handpump mechanic within 3 days. If no action is taken then information should be given to concerning executive engineer. Principal Secretary PHE Ashwini Kumar Rai informed that directives have been given to increase riser pipes as per demand from March 31. About 70-90 per cent work has been completed in this regard. Directives have been given to increase length of riser pipes by April 15 next.