(HT)
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) within a month to give a concrete shape to the concept of “Aviral-Nirmal Gomti” (uninterrupted and clean Gomti).
“This is a work of public importance, which should be given top priority. All formalities associated with uninterrupted flow of the river and its cleanliness should be completed soon. The physical work should be launched after the monsoon,” he said.
Reviewing the progress of Namami Gange and rural water supply department projects. the chief minister said a mass movement should be launched for the revival of the rivers battling pollution and facing extinction in Uttar Pradesh.
“Be it the Gomti in Lucknow, the Hindon in Ghaziabad, the Varuna in Varanasi or other endangered rivers in the state, we will have to make collective efforts in mission mode for the revival of each river,” Adityanath said at the review.
Commenting on the action plan for cleanliness of the Gomti, he said it should be taken forward through public participation. The flow of sewers and drains into the river should be checked to ensure zero liquid discharge into the Gomti, he said.
He also said an action plan should be prepared for revival of other rivers, including the Hindon and the Varuna, on lines of the Gomti and regular monitoring should be done.
“Human civilisation progressed on the banks of rivers. The life-giving rivers on the banks of which our culture flourished are today battling unplanned urbanisation and pollution,” he said.
“The responsibility of divisional commissioners should be fixed for the revival of rivers. The focus of the plantation programme this year should be on the banks of rivers. The drive should not be mere administrative, but should be based on public participation,” he said.
Reviewing the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission and ‘Har Ghar Nal’ scheme, the chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve is being realised with full commitment in Uttar Pradesh.
Regular drinking water supply is being ensured in 37,730 villages, out of which certification of 25,166 villages has also been completed, according to official data.
Pure water is being supplied daily to 3016 villages of Bundelkhand and 2051 villages of the Vindhya region, he said.
The chief minister directed the officers to fix responsibility for the quality, timeliness and operation-maintenance of works in these remote areas. Public participation should be increased at every level by activating water committees in villages, he said.
The officers told the chief minister that till Wednesday, 42,810 drinking water-related complaints have been registered in the state, out of which 38,161 have been resolved.
Instructing officials to resolve all the complaints within 24 hours, he said it should be ensured that there is no question mark on the quality of water.
Directing officials to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the state in view of the summer, he said all district level administrative units should be on 24×7 alert mode.
“To ensure prompt information about drinking water crisis in villages, control rooms should be set up in all districts and their publicity should be ensured with appointment of the nodal officers,” he said.
All faulty hand pumps should be repaired immediately so that water crisis does not arise in rural areas, he said.
For effective implementation of the Har Ghar Nal scheme, the chief minister said roads dug up for laying pipelines or other works should be repaired on priority basis. Executive engineers should visit the site with local public representatives and check the quality of works.
Public representatives should check whether water is being supplied or not and its report should be sent to the Chief Minister’s Office, he said.
While on one hand the availability of water has increased through Jal Jeevan Mission, it has also strengthened social respect, especially the dignity of women and is saving their time, he said.
