With an aim to overcome the problem of potable water in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand, the department concerned needs more funds to repair the potable water pipelines that were also damaged in the natural calamities.
Ironically, the callous approach of the department could be easily gauged by the fact that concrete steps are yet to be taken by the department concerned to repair those potable water pipelines that were damaged in the last year natural calamities. Despite the fact that over a decade has passed since the formation of Uttarakhand, residents living in the mountainous parts of the State are among the worst affected.
The scarcity of potable water is the most in the fringe areas of the State; besides, frequent natural calamities increase the plight of the villagers, who live in the hills of the State. The callous approach of the Peyjal Nigam could be easily gauged by the fact the more steps are still awaited for repairing the old potable water pipelines in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand.
Sources said that around two dozen potable water pipelines are damaged in urban sector and around 650 potable water pipelines are damaged in Garhwal division. Sources confirmed that the Peyjal Nigam is expecting nearly Rs50 crore for repairing the damaged potable water pipelines in the region.
The situation is equally worst in the Kumaon division as 320 potable water pipelines are badly damaged in the natural calamities and department is seeking nearly Rs10 crore for repairing the damaged potable water pipelines in the disaster-hit areas of the State. Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Tehri, Bageshwar, Champawat, Pithoragarh districts are the worst affected in terms of shortage of potable water in the region.
Department sources lamented that the shortage of potable water is likely to increase manifold once the potable water pipelines burst during the winter season and will increase the plight of villagers several times as they would be forced to travel several kilometers to quench their thirst. One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that the strict instructions have been regularly issued to the officials to repair the damaged potable water pipelines across the State. He said that the meeting with nodal agency is a regular future for repairing the damaged potable water pipelines and overcoming the problem of shortage of potable water in the higher parts of the State.