CM directs govt depts to improve water supply

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday directed the electricity, irrigation and public health departments and Shimla municipal corporation (SMC) to improve water supply.

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday directed the electricity, irrigation and public health departments and Shimla municipal corporation (SMC) to improve water supply.

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The action came at an emergency meeting called here on Friday where SMC mayor apprised the chief minister of the deepening crisis owing to failure of providing proper supply on the part of the two departments.

Sanjay Chauhan said the civic body was carrying out the distribution task of the water supply properly, however, the problem laid in the irregular supply by the electricity and IPH department.

SMC expressing helplessness had complained that power crisis and faulty water pumps that were not maintained properly by the IPH often resulted in irrational water supply.

Last two days had witnessed non-supply of drinking water in some parts of Shimla town.

On Friday, Sanjauli suffered water woes due to some fault from the Giri water source while Chotta Shimla, Lower Khalini, Khalini, Park area and Nigam Vihar too faced shortage of water supply with pumping fault from Ashwani Khad.

Taking a serious note, chief minister has directed the two departments and the civic body to work in proper coordination to tackle the water crisis.

He directed the two departments to ensure that they meet the regular drinking water supply demand of the civic body that distributes water across 25 wards in Shimla town.

Potable water to Shimla town is supplied from five water sources, including Giri, Gumma, Ashwani Khad, Chair, Cherot nallah.