Shimla: 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 lackluster 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.
HRTC taxi fares for IGMC reduces
The Chief Minister also announced to reduce the fare for HRTC taxis to IGMC to Rs 10 now which was rupees 20 earlier. Following heavy rush on circular road, and restriction on private vehicles on the Sanjauli to IGMC road, HRTC taxis are only means of transportation for patients and attendance. Now this taxi service is also getting popular among the Mall Road visitors and daily hundreds of commuters are opting for the taxi services.
The Chief Minister also ensured to give relief for people of the city from the heavy traffic at crowded Sanjauli. Thakur said that under AMRUT mission the administration would make sincere efforts to include an overbridge at Sanjauli to avoid inconvenience to people from heavy traffic.
Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahendar Singh Thakur, 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.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj 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.
