The problem of shortage of potable water has increased manifold after the natural calamities struck the State in the last month. Among the worst affected areas are the tough hilly terrains of the State, where villagers are forced to traverse several kilometers to quench their thirst.
However, department officials claimed that the most of the damaged potable water pipelines were repaired by the department for providing potable water to the residents. Among the worst affected residents are those who are living in the remote areas of the state. The poor connectivity of roads in the disaster hit areas of the State is hampering the department’s efforts for carrying repair works in the disaster hit areas. Well established sources told that additional team of 145 linemen and engineers have been already sent to the disaster hit areas of the State for ensuring the speedy repairing of the potable water pipelines in the disaster hit areas. The figures compiled by the department clearly highlighted that the 187 potable water pipelines were damaged in Tehri district and 60 each in Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of the State.
Apart from the rural potable projects, urban potable water pipelines were also reported to be damaged. It is also equally important to mention here is that the 6,300 hamlets were already facing the shortage of potable water during summer and the number has increased manifold especially after the natural calamities struck the State. Well established sources lamented that the supply of potable water was disrupted in the small hamlets situated in the higher parts of the State due to the natural calamites that was struck in the last year. Shockingly, the department concerned is unable to repair the previously damaged potable water pipelines and failed to meet with the deadline.
One of the department sources from Peyjal Nigam claimed additional staff comprising engineers have been deployed in the disaster hit areas for ensuring the speedy repairing of the damaged potable water pipelines. He said that most of the lines were repaired but poor connectivity of the roads in the higher parts of the State is hampering the department’s efforts for repairing the potable water pipelines at earliest. He claimed that the department is keeping an eye on contractors for ensuring the timely and speedy repairing of the damaged potable water pipelines.