Though the people are a bit skeptical about completion of the project of deepening of Hatia and Kanke dams for increasing catchment areas of water bodies in Ranchi, officials claim that the target will be achieved before the deadline of June 15 given by the State Government.
Following major water crisis in Ranchi, Chief Minister Raghubar Das after taking stock of two prime water reservoirs that have shrunk half of their actual size much before the peak of summer season, had directed the officials to dig them deeper.
“Definitely we will be able to achieve the target for Hatia dam as most of the work has already been completed. Out of a total target of 2.5 cubic meters of soil shifting, 1.9 lakh tonnes have been completed while the remaining 0.6 lakh tonnes will be shifted within the next 4-5 days,” said PHED Executive Engineer (Hatia Division) AK Verma. As many as 8 Poke lanes and 40 Hywas are being used for the purpose, he added.
Similarly, more than 95 per cent of the target has been achieved at Kanke dam. “We have almost completed the work as per the requirement. we cannot go beyond the level of dam as there are chances of water coming out of the land,” said PHED Executive Engineer (Gonda Division) Rajesh Rai. A total of 9-10 feet has been done with the help of 9 Hyva machines, 45 tractors and 3 Poke lane machines, he added.
According to Rai, they will wind up the work within 4-5 days before the onset of monsoon in the state.
The CM, in April this year, had directed the officials to start the work of deepening the dams as early as possible as there were only two months’ time left with them. He had also instructed the officials to make use of JCB machines for the deepening work and said that he would again inspect the dams and review the work done by them.
According to CM all water reservoirs must be deepened ensuring that the water doesn’t spill over the reservoirs and get wasted. It must be ensured that year 2017 do not see a water crisis.
A large part of the city was facing water scarcity as small ponds, wells and hand pumps have dried up and the PHED department has implemented water rationing in many parts of the city due to scant water in the Hatia dam.