Acute water shortage and the possibility of the condition getting further worse even before summer begins to rob earth of its remaining and available water has forced the department of Urban Development to pull up its socks and explore options to find solution to the problem.
The department and its main ally in meeting water requirements of the capital, Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, have increased the level of collaboration to jointly address scarcity issue with short, long terms measures besides, other types of infrastructure works to improve flow of water into the city. Bringing water from Rukka Dam to quench thirst of Ranchiites is one of the major projects that the department is considering as also mapping water bodies around the capital to channelise water into the city.
“long term plans such as routing water from surplus reservoirs and water bodies which are not being used are being considered. Moreover, developing existing reservoirs is also being considered. We are trying to provide water in certain parts in Hatia division from Rukka, however, that will take another 2-3 months,” said Principal Secretary of Urban Development, Arun Kumar Singh.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the Urban Development department also made an appeal to the residents of Ranchi to use water sparingly to sustain until supply becomes normal. Notably, the department has started rationing of water due to falling level of water in Hatia and Dhurwa Dam. The department would be examining hurdles in the flow of water into Hatia Dam as clogged inlets due to laying of Ring Road in its vicinity is being speculated as one reason for the falling water level.
The Principal Secretary also asserted that the department is considering amendments in holding tax rules and building bylaws to force residents of the capital to make provision of water harvesting system in their buildings. The amendments would also make provision of penalty for ignoring clauses related to setting up water harvesting system.
“We are also amending the building bylaws of making water harvesting system mandatory for new buildings. We are also making amendments in holding tax rules that is those who are not doing rain water harvesting would be required to pay one-and-a-half times of the existing holding fee. Existing holdings have to make water harvesting system otherwise they will be penalized,” added Singh.
Meanwhile, the DWSD is exploring the option of bringing water from Patratu Dam to Ranchi and a feasibility analysis is underway for the project. Besides, setting catchment area of various water bodies free from encroachment is also likely to gain momentum.
“That (water pipeline from Patratu to Ranchi) will not take more time. Since we do not have to build a dam, the project will take around two years to complete,” maintained Secretary of DWSD, AP Singh.
The Secretary, DWSD, added that the encroachment has been removed from the catchment areas of Kanke Dam in Gonda and similar efforts will be initiated around other water bodies as well.