Officials turn a blind eye to GO

THE CITY is set to face acute drinking water crisis if remedial measures are not taken to control the decreasing underground water table. Despite the State Government's directives, no serious efforts are being made towards preserving the underground water by the district administration and the Allahabad Development Authority.

THE CITY is set to face acute drinking water crisis if remedial measures are not taken to control the decreasing underground water table.

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Despite the State Government's directives, no serious efforts are being made towards preserving the underground water by the district administration and the Allahabad Development Authority.

Notably, 48-inch fall has been witnessed in the underground water table in the last three months but, the officials concerned have still not awakened from their deep slumber.

It may be recalled that five years back expressing serious concern over continuous fall in underground water table ,the state government had issued an order (GO) directing all district and development authorities to ensure setting up of rain harvesting system on government buildings, multi-storeyed complexes and the newly constructed houses with 300 square metres and above area in the city.

UP Urban Housing and Development Department in its order had stated that the city is endowed with limited water resources which are stressed and depleting. Increase in population and urbanization are putting the resources under stress.
Unless water sources are properly managed and utilized, the city will face acute water crisis in coming years.

Sources said that in Allahabad, the underground water strata goes down alarmingly every year especially during the summer. Pointedly, the ADA which was primarily entrusted to enforce the order has failed to implement it properly at government buildings like Vikas Bhawan, Collectorate, Board of Revenue, Police Headquarters, AG's office, Nagar Nigam etc.

Several multi-storeyed complexes and apartments have come up in almost every part of the city but neither the ADA nor district administration has taken pains to enforce the rain harvesting system which is a clear violation of the government order.

Kamlesh Singh, former corporator has demanded of the ADA authorities to implement the rain harvesting system in big building in view of rapid fall in underground water table.