Governor launches Water Conservation Campaign

Governor Acharya Devvrat today has launched special campaign, Himachal Pradesh Water Conservation Literacy Campaign in the presence of Ramon Magsaysay award winner and world famous water conservationist Rajinder Singh at Rajbhawan, Shimla.
On the occasion, the Governor said that the services of Rajinder would be taken for the success of the campaign and added that Shri Singh has agreed to provide his service for recharging water bodies in the State. He said that initially University students, scientists and teaching faculty would be involved in sensitizing the people about the conservation of water and afterward it would be extended up to the village level.
He expressed his concern that farmers in the State have faced the problem of water scarcity and in towns also people have shortage of drinking water. The State of Himachal was providing water to other neighbouring state and now it was facing the same problem, he added. He said that now the State would took the benefit of the experience of Singh who had an experience particularly in Rajasthan where he had rejuvenated the water sources.
On the occasion, Rajinder Singh expressed his happiness in sharing experience with the State and be part of this campaign for social cause. He said that it was a matter of concern that water level in the State was also going down and drought or flood like situation prevailed in the State. He said that it was high time to slow down the pace of water flow and conserve it for recharging the water bodies. He thanked the Governor for starting this important campaign.

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IPH Minister directs to restore water supply schemes at the earliest

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes said that State Government was making all out efforts to restore the water supply and irrigation schemes which were damaged due to heavy rains throughout the State. She said that 4156 schemes were affected which caused a loss of Rs. 172.22 crore.

Smt. Stokes was presiding over the review meeting of Irrigation and Public Health Department here today.

She said that water supply and irrigation schemes of Shimla,  Mandi, Kangra, Solan and Chamba districts  were highly affected due to heavy downpour   during current monsoon season in the State. She said that 21 urban water supply schemes amounting about Rs. 8.59 crore were affected whereas 3130 rural water supply schemes amounting Rs. 102.36 crore were damaged. She said that 958 irrigation schemes were also affected which caused a loss of Rs. 47.84 crore. She said that 20 schemes of flood control works were also affected which caused loss of Rs. 3.34 crore. She said that it also affected the sewerage schemes and as per the reports 27 were affected which caused a loss of Rs. 10.09 crore.

Smt. Stokes said that the most of the schemes were repaired and she appreciated the efforts of the department for ensuring the smooth working of most of the schemes immediately. She directed the officials of the department to repair rest of the affected schemes at the earliest so that people could not face any difficulties in getting safe and adequate drinking water. She also directed the field functionaries to send report daily to the headquarter about the status of the schemes so that appropriate action could also be taken from the State headquarter.

Additional Chief Secretary Shri P.C. Dhiman briefed about the steps taken by the department for restoration of the damaged drinking water supply and irrigation schemes in the State. He assured the Minister that all schemes would be made functional at the earliest.

Senior officers of the department and Municipal Corporation Shimla also attended the meeting.

Shimla faces water shortage due to siltation

Even with incessant downpours and ample groundwater reserves, Shimla residents have been facing shortage of potable water due to excessive siltation. Water supply has been hit since Monday evening as siltation has increased in Giri and Ashwani rivers, from where water is lifted, while leakage in the main Giri water pipe on Tuesday added to the problem.

According to irrigation and public health department (IPH) officials, accumulated silt at the pumping sources and leakage in the main line reduced water supply to nearly 12-15 MLD on an average, contrary to 37-38 MLD required in the township. Shimla MC commissioner Amarjeet Singh said, "We are only distributors of water that we receive from the IPH department. Giri, Gumma and Ashwani water schemes have been down since past two days. The IPH department may be having its own limitations, but at our end we have been informing residents about lack of supply and we are trying to cater to the population through the MC reservoirs. However, these reservoirs too are fast going empty, he added.

According to MC estimates, the daily requirement of Shimla is around 38-40 MLD of water and it increases during tourist seasons due to rise in floating population. The five major sources from where water is pumped to the city include Churat Nullah, Ashwani, Giri, Gumma and Chair. Since past two days, water crisis has deepened in Chotta Shimla, Kasumpti, Chaura Maidan, Tutu, Boileauganj and other areas.