Asserting that planned urban development and exultant atmosphere is the top priority of the State Government, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said his government is running schemes for water conservation and providing pure potable water to people in urban areas.

 

These views were observed by the Chief Minister in his fourth edition of monthly radio-programme Lokvani broadcasted under the topic ‘New era of urban development’. In his radio programme which was broadcasted from all Akasvani centres and relay-centres in the state, the Chief Minister highlighted the welfare schemes and development works being undertaken by the State Government. Supply of potable water to urban habitations comes under basic amenities and the dropping groundwater level is a matter of grave concern.

 

He alleged that the basic reason for water scarcity in urban areas is largely because its development has taken place as cement-concrete jungle. Many areas in urban areas have become so solid that even rain-water doesn’t seep into the ground. The Chief Minister said in order to maintain ground-water level it is very necessary that surface water seeps into the ground. Once Chhattisgarh was known for its water bodies but for a long time development works were carried without proper planning and thought process resulting into haphazard constructions leading to depleting water recharging capacity which further led to falling of ground-water level to dangerous level.

 

The Chief Minister said by amending the rules, the state government has made water harvesting compulsory for all residential, commercial and industrial complexes. Also rain water harvesting facilities have been developed in old buildings and complexes. The state government has fixed six types of water-harvesting unit rates and responsibilities have been given to agencies and self-help groups to complete rain-water harvesting within one month. He said rules are being amended for new constructions wherein installing water harvesting equipment has been made mandatory, without which power connection willn’t be given.

 

The Chief Minister said the state government’s flagship Suraji Gaon (Narwa, Garuwa, Ghurwa and Badi) scheme is being linked with urban bodies and project has been designed for groundwater recharging through V-wire injection well technology. The Chief Minister through his monthly radio programmed appealed to the people, local administration, district administration, NGOs to carry out cleaning of old wells and make them secure by installing nets, etc in order to avoid any accidents. He said soon after constitution of new government Raipur Urban Mega Water Augmentation Scheme has been launched at a cost of Rs 212 crore.

 

The Chief Minister said through Minimata Amritdhara Nal Yojna, tap connections are being provided to BPL families who’re yet to get tap connections. Rajiv Gandhi Sarvjal Yojna has been initiated for supplying packed water through filter plant. Sewerage Master Plants have been sanctioned for Raigarh and Jagdalpur so that polluted water going into rivers could be checked. He gave detailed information about several other schemes for water supply and purification, which have been initiated.