The rising level of mercury has added to water woes in Jamshedpur so much so that 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 during the summer season, the East Singhbhum administration is drawing up an action plan that includes repair hand pumps, distribution of water through tankers and several other initiatives drinking water programme.
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 from April 1.
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 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 Amitabh Kaushal to take immediate steps for taking help of private players in start water tankers of enhanced capacity for supplying water.
“The administration is all set to meet water crisis in the city and elaborate steps are being taken in this regard. We have been asked by the district administration to take private help and make immediate plans to get this in order before peak of summer season,” said JNAC special officer Deepak Sahay.
According to JNAC sources, out of a total of 1680 tube wells installed around 110 are lying defunct in different areas city. In Mango (read MNAC), out of a total of 516 tubewells around 481 were found functional and in Jugsalai municipality out of a total of 243 tube wells only 181 are functional.
“We have been asked for finalising private parties to look after and repair the tube wells before April 1. We will also be sending weekly status report to state urban development department as well as to the district administration over tubewells status,” said Sahay.
A senior district official said that said if the water crisis in the city increases, they would increase the water supply through tankers. “It is really difficult times for us. The scorching heat along with decreasing water level has made life difficult for us. long queues of women standing for waters at hand pumps are regular feature,” said a resident of Baghbera.