Himachal to set benchmark in safe drinking water and sanitation

Shimla June 14

· Clean water and sanitation for all says Chief Minister

During the last two and a half years, the State Government has been taking major strides to ensure clean and safe drinking water for every household in Himachal Pradesh. Under various ambitious projects, both in rural and urban areas were witnessing up-gradation and modernization of infrastructure so as to provide every household with round the clock clean drinking water. These initiatives were reinforcing the commitment of state government towards ensuring health and well-being of the citizens.

Under the directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu the state government has decided to start the ‘Mukhya Mantri Swachh Jal Shodhan Yojana’ with an initial budget of Rs. 80 crore received in the first phase. This initiative would deploy advanced technologies like Ozonation (waste water treatment), UV filtration, RO and nano-filtration to purify water for both domestic and commercial use. This would significantly reduce waterborne diseases and enhance the quality of life.

Additionally, Drinking Water Treatment Plants would be established in Jawalamukhi, Jaswan, Pragpur and Dehra of Kangra district during the next financial year at a cost of Rs. 43 crore. To monitor water quality in real time, sensor-based systems were being installed in 291 schemes across 10 districts. The government also plans to set up one State-level and 14 district-level NABL-accredited water testing laboratories. Up till now 71 water testing laboratories has been set up in the State.

Similarly under the ‘Rural Drinking Water Up-gradation Project’ a provision has been made to provide uninterrupted water supply to as many 20,663 households in rural areas. Funded by NDB, the total project cost amounts to Rs.745 crore with state share of Rs.148 crore. Similarly, under the Rural Drinking Water, up-gradation and Livelihood Project of over Rs. 1,062 crore was being invested to install 79,282 Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) in 2,471 settlements across 10 districts. Nearly 43 percent of this work has been completed.

To tackle the challenges of harsh weather conditions in cold regions, the Government would initiate work on 20 Water Supply Schemes in Lahaul-Spiti district at a cost of Rs. 27 crore under the antifreeze and winter water supply Schemes. Similarly, six schemes worth Rs. 72 crore would be implemented in Kinnaur district. In addition, four Water Supply Schemes in Nadaun, Bhoranj, Amlehad and Haroli, along with one sewerage scheme for Baddi, would be undertaken this year.