Nitish directs to pump out water on war footing

Patna, Jul 18: Concerned with the pathetic condition of the state capital due to waterlogging since the past one week, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed the authorities to pump out water on war footing.

In an emergent high level meeting held here this morning to discuss ways and means for resolving the problem, Mr Kumar directed the authorities to speed up the pumping out of water from the affected areas and asked them to hire powerful machines from adjoining states for the purpose.

Describing the waterlogging problem as a 'natural calamity', he said the problem would be solved within three to four days and claimed that even the metropolitan cities were facing such situation.

He appealed to the people to be patient, saying that about 800 mm rainfall was recorded against an average rainfall of 290 mm.

After reviewing the situation with the senior authorities of the state, Mr Kumar observed that the problem continued because the water, which was being pumped out, was again reaching the streets because of choked drains.

The Chief Minister directed the District Magistrate to review the condition of drains and initiate measures to clear them. He also asked him either to evacuate the people trapped in the waterlogged areas or arrange for relief material and supply safe drinking water to the affected areas.

In order to prevent epidemics, he directed to sprinkle bleaching powder and DDT in the waterlogged areas once the water was pumped out.

Mr Kumar asked the autorities to prepare a policy based long term work plan to solve the problem and assured to sanction sufficient funds for execution of the scheme.

He announced to take stern action against the agencies ignoring the infrastructural construction work.

He also asked the urban development department to enhance its capacity and make efforts to solve waterlogging problems in all prominent towns of the state.

UNI