Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today launched the drinking water reservoirs cleaning campaign here from Sanjauli to be carried out through the state under Swachh Bharat Mission. Congratulating the people of the state on New Year, he said that the water tank in Sanjauli was the largest in the state with water storage capacity of 90 lakh litres.He said that the state government was committed for total cleanliness under Swachh Bharat mission of Government of India.The Chief Minister said it was necessary to undertake such cleanliness drives to keep drinking water safe. Maximum water borne diseases occur because of lacklustre approach as water reservoirs/ tanks once constructed goes unattended for a long time.He directed the IPH department to undertake regular cleanliness drive of drinking water tanks all over the state and this would be our priority.He said not once but the department concerned should ensure that water tanks were maintained properly and such campaigns should be undertaken twice a year. Besides, the traditional water resources need to be cleaned regularly.It should be also ensured that the water sources should be equally attended and properly maintained.He said that due to tough topography of the state, it was often witnessed that people carry water on their back and head even in his constituency which was quite an interior. But now days, the people have access to drinking water at their doorsteps, inside their home. "I assure that every kitchen and bathrooms will have water taps", he said.
The Chief Minister said that the fare for HRTC taxis to IGMC would be Rs 10 now which was rupees 20 earlier, adding that the senior citizens will also pay the same fare of Rs. 10. Under AMRUT mission we will make sincere efforts to include an overbridge at Sanjauli to avoid inconvenience to people from heavy traffic, said the Chief Minister. Shri Mahendar Singh Thakur, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, while addressing the occasion said that the government would continue it's endeavours to fulfil the aspirations of the people who voted them to power. He said that henceforth strict measures would be taken to mitigate water borne diseases and we could achieve this with the cooperation of the people. The Minister said that the campaign would continue for 15 days and it would be ensured that it was carried out throughout the state. Any lapse from any official functionary would be dealt with strictly. Shri Suresh Bhardwaj , Education Minister said that it was unfortunate that a body of a small boy was found in the water tank in Shimla but now the government would ensure that no such incident takes place and the campaign for cleaning drinking water reservoirs would be done periodically. Mayor Smt. Kusum Sadret, Deputy Mayor Shri Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Councillors, Engineer-in-Chief IPH Shri Anil Bahri, Commissioner MC, Shri G.C. Negi were also present amongst others.