Technical snag, low voltage deepens drinking water crisis in Solan

Continuous problem of voltage fluctuations coupled with burning of motors and frequent breakdown in the rising mains of multi-crore Giri lift drinking water scheme has once again deepened the water crisis in and around the town as water supply remained suspended in several localities for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday.

Continuous problem of voltage fluctuations coupled with burning of motors and frequent breakdown in the rising mains of multi-crore Giri lift drinking water scheme has once again deepened the water crisis in and around the town as water supply remained suspended in several localities for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday.

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Thanks to the district administration that instead of initiating the needed measures to tide over the crisis, they seem to have turned a blind eye towards the problem.

Meanwhile, concerned over the failure of the officials of the state power board in providing uninterrupted power supply at the Gaura pumping station, frontline leaders of the ruling Congress asked the officials to initiate immediate needed measures to ensure the needed supply as any laxity on their part would be viewed seriously.

Party spokesman Ajay Singh Chauhan asked the officials of the irrigation and public health (IPH) department to make necessary arrangements for the prevention of frequent breakdown in rising mains, leading to hardships to the people of the town and adjoining areas, failing which the issue would be taken up with the chief minister.

Notably, troubled brewed following burning of main motors at the Gaura pumping station on Friday. It was further aggravated after breakdown in the rising main on Sunday owing to voltage fluctuation. The authorities of the irrigation and public health (IPH) department, which were providing around eight lakh gallons against the daily requirement of 18 lakh gallons of water to the local municipal council, responsible for distributing the same in and around the town, was forced to suspend the lifting operations that deepened the water crisis in the town.

Though, the authorities of the IPH as usual have blamed the power board officials for not maintaining the needed voltage that was forcing them to suspend the water lifting operations, sources revealed that the present crisis arose owing to failure of the IPH authorities in maintaining its water lifting pumps and motors and laying of alternate rising main from the pumping station to supply the water in and around the town.

IPH executive engineer Hemant Tanwar said, “We have been constantly taking up the issue of voltage fluctuation with the power board officials, but it appears that no needed corrective measures have been initiated to eliminate the problem.”

He said frequent voltage fluctuation was not only leading to burning of water lifting motors, but also leading to breakdowns in rising mains, forcing the officials concerned to suspend the lifting operations.

Power board sub-divisional officer JC Sharma said since the total capacity of the 132-kV power station at Saproon has not been enhanced for the past several years, the growing demand of power during the winter season was leading to voltage fluctuations at the pumping station.

Minister, chairman responsible: BJP

Solan: Holding social justice and empowerment minister DR Shandilr esponsible for the potable water crisis, the BJP on Tuesday said, “The Virbhadra Singh government has failed to safeguard the interest of the common masses ever since it assumed power in the state. The BJP councillors along with vice-chairman Pawan Gupta said council's chairman Kul Rakesh Pant has miserably failed to provide even basic amenities to the residents after assuming the charge of the municipal council.

“Even the chairman has failed to fulfill his poll promises concerning the drinking water problem within 24 hours after winning the elections. No supply of potable water even on fifth day showed that Shandil and Pant has completely lost the control over the administration,” they said. The BJP leaders alleged that Pant except misusing the official vehicle had failed to resolve various problems.

“Despite repeated pleas, no alternate arrangements are being made to provide potable water even after a gap of five days,” they added.