Azad calls meeting to discuss drinking water crisis in Jammu

Srinagar, Aug 24 (UNI) Concerned over the scarcity of drinking water in Jammu city, the issue which had rocked the state Assembly yesterday, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today convened a high-level meeting to discuss measures to cope with the situation.

The Chief Minister asked Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to immediately release Rs 4.54 crore to PHE, Jammu, for quick completion of the Intake Scheme at Sitlee Filtration Plant.

He also ordered immediate construction of an additional intake system with filtration plant to replace the system washed away by floods last year.

Mr Azad instructed the ERA to immediately dig ten new tube wells.

Additional hand pumps would also be dug to meet the requirement. The Power Development Department was asked to arrange 2600 kv additional power supply and a captive diesel generator set to run the scheme flawlessly.

The Chief Minister also approved a Rs 21.89 crore proposal for the scheme and asked the PHE department to approach the Planning Department for funds.

Money would also be raised by taking loans from Jammu Development Authority (JDA) so that the scheme was taken up in the right earnest. Vice Chairman, JDA said the authority had surplus money which after making available to PHE could subsequently be reimbursed by the latter.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Health, Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mohammad Dilawar Mir and MLAs Yogesh Sawhney, Raman Bhalla.

UNI