SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Apr 6: Ranchi is soon to face a severe water crisis this year with underground water falling deeper than ever in the state. With ponds and hand pumps drying up in many areas, people may be forced to depend on water supplied by tanks provided by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC). Keeping this in mind, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation is prepared this year to supply free water in 50 tankers at several points in the capital amid the crisis in the capital in summer.
City Manager Aftab, in this regard said, “We have a total of 50 tankers that have been maintained and have been rid of any kind of issues. Apart from this, the civic body has decided to rent 15 more tankers to be able to fulfill all the demands.”
He further added, “The water that we will be providing will be free of cost. Anyone in need of water for individual use, may contact the RMC by booking a tanker online or calling us on the number for booking. If anyone needs water in huge quantities for say, a marriage function or some big event, we have a paid system. One can call up at the RMC office to book tankers of water. We will have a 24-hour centre set up to receive calls in this regard.”
“We are also trying to set up 100+ borings all over the city to help resolve water shortage issues this summer. We have also set up city managers and other officials so that people need not wait for long when they want water,” Aftab added.
Talking of the areas that will be used to provide water all over the city in summers, the city manager added, “There are a total of nine hydrants across the city from where water is filled in tankers. The places include Harmu, Bakri Bazar, Latma Hill, Chandni Chowk, Doranda Bazar, Karbala Chowk, Booty More, Sahajanand Chowk and Vidya Nagar.”
“Apart from this, we are also trying to help people conserve water and maintain the underground water level. Our revenue section and their tax collectors have informed the building owners that they must have rain water harvesting systems setup in their buildings, else they might have to pay extra taxes for not having such a setup,” he added, while explaining steps taken by the civic body for water harvesting.
Talking of supplying tanker water in the city, Aftab said, “People in areas like Harmu, Doranda, etc, usually contact their ward councilors and inform them of their need for water. The counselor then writes to the RMC and informs the RMC of the water needs. The RMC then supplies water as per the requirements in the said area. Any other Jan Pratinidhi may also contact us for the water requirements.”
Talking of other concerns related to leaking tankers and water wastage, Aftab said, “We have recently checked all our tankers for leakage and broken nozzles to minimize wastage of water. Several times, even residents of the city damage tankers if we leave it in areas to provide water. I also urge the residents of the city to help us maintain the tankers, as it is not our property but the city’s and as citizens it is our responsibility to maintain them and not damage them in any manner.”
