The district administration conducted an emergency meeting with officials on Thursday following report of acute drinking water crisis in certain pockets.
Chairing the meeting district Collector Arabinda Agarwal stated that the rise of mercury graph had been a cause of serious concern in Baleswar as both human and animal population was reeling under acute heat and related problems like water shortage. He asked the officials to take necessary steps immediately to tackle the crisis.He asked the officials to set up a round- the- clock control room to receive complaints and warned of stringent action in case any lapses detected. He also directed that all the defunct tube wells be set right within 48 hours and adequate number of vehicles be deployed to provide water in the severe water deficit patches.
For each block, four vehicles would be engaged for repair and restoration of unserviceable tube wells. The agencies responsible for water supply in the urban and rural areas were asked to stay alert and monitor the water supply.The district Collector also sought cooperation of the local NGOs and volunteers for setting up water kiosks in prominent crowded places. For the stray cattle, he also stressed on provision of drinking water at the required places.
ADM Akshay Mohanty, Sub Collector Indramani Nayak, engineers of PHED and RWSS, all BDOs and tehsildars attended.