With mercury rising, the East Singhbhum district administration has geared up to meet the drinking water crisis with an action plan.
In order to address the water woes of the citizens during the summer season, the East Singhbhum administration has decided to repair hand pumps, distribution of water through tankers and several other initiatives drinking water programme. While, as long-term measures, it will renovate ponds and water bodies and initiate action against buildings that do not have rainwater harvesting structures.
The meeting was attended by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Saryu Roy, MP Vidhyut Baran Mahto and other representatives.
“We are concern over the situation and convened meeting to work on the action plan. We have decided study the provisions of State Municipal Act-2011 in a day or two and carry out a survey to identify structures that are violating the norms. Notices will be served to the owners and builders of flats built in violation of the Act,” said DC Amitabh Kaushal. The DC said the special officers of different civic bodies had been directed to take action against builders and owners of the flats lacking rainwater harvesting facility. According to information, though the administration on several occasions had given orders to ensure installation of rain water harvesting systems in new constructions, but it is yet to take action to make people strictly implement it.
“I think rain water harvesting is the need of the hour and we have to promote the concept in every possible way. Rain water harvesting is a way to capture the rain water when it rains, store that water above ground or charge the underground and use it later. Though the concept has caught the imagination of the people in South, but in Jharkhand it has a long way to go,” said an administrative official.
Meanwhile the administration has asked the local civic bodies, namely Jamshedpur notified area committee (JNAC), Mango notified area committee (MNAC) and Jugsalai municipality to take help of private parties to meet manpower crunch in repair and maintenance of tubewells.
According to the information, the water problem is more severe in the areas located at the tail-end of water supply system and on the city outskirts. In order to end the water woes of the resident the district administration has decided to distribute water through tankers in the areas of Baghbera, Jugsalai, Pursudih and Karandih, which are the worst affected areas.
Moreover, the local civic bodies have also been asked by the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner to take immediate steps for taking help of private players in start water tankers of enhanced capacity for supplying water.