Exhorts People for Judicious Use of Basic Amenities

||Black and White Digital News ||

||Tejveer Singh July 26 ,2024 ||

SRINAGAR :Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo held a comprehensive review meeting to assess the water and electricity supply scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in light of the ongoing heat wave. The meeting aimed to evaluate the government’s response mechanism and ensure uninterrupted supply of essential services to the consumers.

The meeting saw the participation of top officials, including the Chairman of the JK Water Resources Regulatory Authority (JKWRRA), Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, Principal Secretaries of Power and Finance, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations, Managing Directors of JPDCL, KPDCL, and JJM, Directors of the IMD and Remote Sensing, and Chief Engineers from Jal Shakti. Outstation officers joined via video conferencing.

Water Supply Challenges and Measures:

Current Water Levels:The Chief Secretary was briefed on the current water levels in the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, which have dropped significantly compared to last year due to a 50% reduction in rainfall.

Response to Heat Wave:Dulloo emphasized the need for an efficient response mechanism to address public complaints swiftly. He directed the Jal Shakti and Housing & Urban Development departments to ensure an uninterrupted water supply, especially in areas experiencing shortages.

Infrastructure Assessment:The Chief Secretary called for a thorough assessment of the existing machinery and infrastructure, urging both short-term and long-term measures to augment the supply of drinking and irrigation water.

Deputy Commissioners’ Role:Dulloo instructed Deputy Commissioners to submit regular reports on water and power supply in their districts and to establish control rooms for instant resolution of complaints.

Water Tankers and Supply:He also ordered the deployment of additional water tankers to ensure that even the remotest villages receive adequate drinking water.

Electricity Supply and Management:

Power Supply Status: The Principal Secretary of PDD provided an overview of the electricity supply in the UT, noting that an additional 200 MW has been added to meet the increased demand due to the heat wave.

Supply Schedules: Metered areas receive 21-24 hours of electricity, while non-metered areas get 18-20 hours. In Jammu, where temperatures are particularly high, the power schedule has been relaxed to ensure better supply.

Preparedness:Dulloo stressed the importance of having contingency plans ready to handle any unexpected power supply issues.

Departmental Presentations:

Jal Shakti Department: The Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department outlined the current challenges and future preparedness. He mentioned that the reduction in river levels has impacted numerous water and irrigation schemes. Measures taken include deploying tanker services in water-scarce areas and forming a task force to tackle water misuse.

Irrigation Sector Initiatives: Temporary diversion structures like bunds and weirs are being constructed to divert maximum flow towards head regulators. Warabandi, a rotational water supply method, is being implemented to ensure equitable water distribution to agricultural fields.

Public Advisory and Enforcement:

Judicious Use of Amenities: Dulloo appealed to the public to use water and electricity judiciously and warned against misuse, including the use of online boosters.

Enforcement Measures: He directed the Deputy Commissioners and relevant departments to take strict action against any misuse of water and to ensure proper regulation and enforcement.

The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to maintaining the continuous supply of essential services and addressing the public’s needs amid challenging climatic conditions. The Chief Secretary’s directives aim to ensure that both urban and rural areas receive the necessary water and power supplies efficiently and without interruption.