P K Mam
Water is one of the basic and essential needs of living being. Every drop of water is precious. The medieval poet Raheem said “we must preserve every drop of water, since a single drop saved inside the oyster’s shell forms a pearl. ( Rahimen pani rakhiye, bin pani sab soon, pani gaye na ubre moti manus ehoon.)
The demand for water is in all seasons but it remains unabated and vociferous in summer due to limited resources resulting in uncertainty and untimely supply in most of the areas. The people affected are forced to resort all kinds of protests, demonstration, anger, road blockade, folks carrying empty buckets on heads on roadside- all with sole purpose to awaken the authorities for supply of water. In fact, we struggle for assured adequate supply of water for domestic use even in 2nd decade of 21st century because of many a factors, but more apparently due to management problems.
Truly, there has been impact of growing population because of urbanization effect, but the benefits of nature’s bounty due to geographical location in mountainous region, which brings snow & rainfall every year (compared to other States), does not appear to be fully channelized in the past, may be because of lack of farsightedness in framing long term strategies; instead masses being swayed by promises.
Now, under ambit of various laws i.e. Public Service Guarantee Act/ consumer protection Act, the Govt. has categorized provision of water supply to its citizens as Right to services and portrays genuine concern for wellbeing of masses, as a responsible entity. Assertion of rights and discharging responsibility as a consumer is being widely advocated by leaders and authorities.
What is significant is that present dispensation at the top level is known for showing guts, willingness and vision to upgrade swiftness, consciousness towards solving the problem. Reportedly, long term plans to tap resources and augment the supply are identified and process is on framing and implementing the plans. But the point of concern in our system is that things move at snail’s pace at each stage and not with swiftness as required. Not that nothing has been done, but much remains to be done. Here, the work culture has to change and accountability to be fixed to achieve timely results. The concept of rewards and punishment should be reinforced.
Meanwhile, we feel that certain things are well within authorities’ reach which they can do without calling for any extraordinary strategy towards redressal of complaints significantly:
a) The first and foremost contact point for common man is to lodge complaint to men on duty at nearby pump station. Generally, the reasons given by them are that overhead tank is NOT full, due to power cut. Here is a need to ascertain veracity of such answers by complacent ground staff through strict supervision/ surprise checks. But then why should the genuine consumer be made victim of mal-functioning of system? Kindly make provision of dedicated power connection at such identified pump stations, in consultation with P.D.D. to overcome the bottlenecks on priority.
b) There is urgent need to refurbish the existing infrastructure at pump station itself by providing effective working tools /equipments/ base platforms/ installation of automatic alarm system to ground staff to plug leakages and overflowing water from overhead tanks which results in dampness / superficial pits on many spots on ground and delays timely rectification of faults.
c) The worst hit due to water shortage supply remains the houses which are located at tail end in areas. It is absolutely necessary that water supply is restored with full PRESSURE enough to meet need of genuine consumers.
d) Make adequate provision for reasonable time in restoration of water supply while releasing supply to all souls especially tail end points. Please ensure that Turncock while releasing the water supply get the valve / gadget rotated to full round / capacity.
e) Ensure strict punctuality of men on duty for opening and closure of supply restoration in time as time is precious and there is no provision of round the clock water supply. We cannot keep on waiting for supply for unscheduled time at by making repeated enquiries from supervisor and other staff even at odd hours (during morning and day time) whether water will come or not!!! Here, imagine the fate of infirm/ oldies who are required to wait for indefinite time in scorching heat just to listen to echoes of drops/ flow of water in underground tank (generally located in open compound) at the time of restoration of supply by turncock on duty. Some men on duty do not follow time schedule strictly and deviation in time schedule even extends up to hours at times, when tolerable time should not be more than five or 6 minutes in any case.
f) Change in timing or shifting turns of turncock at random at the time of supply restoration must be avoided. As different team of turncock are assigned job of releasing/closure of supply on weekly basis both for morning and evening shifts , any change in timings done unilaterally causes confusion both to consumers/ supervisors and must be avoided. This can be best done by fixing cut of dates, say 7or 15th of month for changes in timing/ shifts, if necessary say, both for morning and evening shifts
g) Make available responsive and receptive staff to attend customer’s grievances at pump stations.
h) Replace and repair defective, old, rusted main and connected pipes both at on and off sites to plug leakages, swiftly.
i) De-link/ relocate supply connection of those tail end houses with existing defunct pipes (in specific cases) and restore connection with separate ones wherever feasible and warranted.
j) Adopt water conservation methods at houses in cities and villages by suggesting earmarking suitable space for storage of water on scientific lines in plots / underground tanks/ fields whenever there is excess downpour to take care of shortage problem. It is desirable that both Municipal Corporation and Rural Town Planning bodies must make a pre-condition for granting permission before construction of dwelling so that the same can be used for other than drinking purpose i.e. washing vehicles / domestic house hold work. Let us all kindle the spirit of saving the water leakage both at home and outside and become aware of our responsibility for survival of humans.
The need of hour is to deal with the problems on fast track basis in real sense. Let there be such a system whereby no room is left to settle woes by using unauthorized means and we bid good bye for ever to period of woes as witnessed every summer. It is hoped that authorities will meet expectation & confidence of people.
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