Keeping in view the dry weather spell prevailing in the Poonch district, DDC Mohammad Aijaz, who is also the Chairman of District Water and Sanitation Committee has devised a 10 points formula to tackle water crisis in the district in a meeting held, here today. The meeting was attended by ADDC Sheikh Abdul Hamied, Chief Planning Officer, Superintendent Engineer (SE) PHE, Executive Engineers PHE, I&FC, AEEs from Sub Division Mendhar, Haveli, Mandi and Surankote besides officers from mechanical engineering wing of the departmentDuring the meeting, the DDC said that 10 points to meet the water crisis includes daily attendance marking of all the linemen/front line functionaries on WhatsApp groups and up-dation of water discharge data in daily water supply diary, capacity building by procuring additional water tankers for water stressed areas, constitution of water supply assurance Squads(WSAS) to conduct surprise checks to ensure attendance of staff at night alongwith equitable distribution of water supply.In this regard, AEE Mechanical has been appointed the nodal officer.
He will ensure proper upkeep of necessary machinery at all water installations to avoid breakdown of water supply.He further said that rationalization of field staff, and plugging leakage of 20% water getting wasted by repairing pipes on immediate basis will help save water for due usage in water scarce areas. Since as per survey conducted in Haveli, 15 lakh gallons is being lifted on daily basis, however, only 12 lakh gallons reaches destination resulting in wastage of 3 lakh gallon each day.Directions were also given to Executive Engineers PWD & PMGSY to follow SOPs and inform PHE department in advance for relocation of pipes lines to avoid damage to pipelines during digging and earth cutting works.DDC also directed for disconnecting illegal connections from feeders and Electric Substations under the control of PHE and commissioning of bore wells to be expedited.He further asked the concerned to establish district level complaint register cell wherein people can register their complaints regarding water scarcity at help line numbers 01965220282. Similar control rooms are to be set up at sub-divisional levels also.