Dehradun, July 2
As the sustainability of natural water source continues to be suspect in the state due to erratic rain and diverse topography, the Jal Sansthan is now concentrating on off-grid water management efforts in the form of river bank filtration (RBF) and atmospheric water generators.

The drinking water made available through RBF and atmospheric generators will mean that people living in Uttarakhand will not have to remain parched in the acute summer months.

The RBF technique is a process of obtaining naturally filtered groundwater from aquifers that are hydraulically connected to a river or lake by digging up wells. During the RBF, the surface water is subjected to a combination of physical, chemical and biological processes such as dilution and filtration that significantly improve the quality of water.

"We have 12 RBF sites operational in Uttarakhand and cooperation centre at Dweep Island in Haridwar for the RBF has already been set up. The implementation of the technique is under way on the Ganga at Pant Dweep island, Haridwar. It accounts for 50 per cent water supply and the daily production of water is 32 mld. As little as 3-5 metres of aquifer is being tapped at present. Thirtyeight per cent of water is being extracted through infiltration wells", said PC Kimothi, Secretary, Appraisal.

He said the hydrological conditions existed at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar and Nainital where river banks were suitable for the RBF technology.

Similarly, drinking water provided through the water atmospheric generator already in use in Andhra Pradesh was also being seen as another technology which could be used to quench the thirst of the people without having to depend on the state water utility.

"Water generators are machines that make water from air in humid conditions and work on refrigeration technology. The highly energy-efficient machine that traps humidity from the atmosphere converting it into clean water. It is a viable option in high-altitude areas where costs of providing water through streams are very high. We can provide provide 3 litres of drinking water per person daily," said Kimothi.

Haridwar, July 2
Scorching heat and high humidity, besides incessant power cuts have forced local residents to look for divine intervention for rain in Haridwar though there have been reports of showers in neihbouring cities of Dehradun and Rishikesh.

Teerth purohits and local people today held a yajna here to pray to the deity Indra to shower rain.

The teerth purohits performed the yajna amid chanting of vedic mantras and offering of hawan material to the puja kund at Jwalapur and near the Ganga ghat.

Chief of the Akhil Bharatiya Yuva Teerth Purohit Sabha Ujjwal Pandit said though rain had been reported from all over Uttarakhand, the pilgrim city of Haridwar had witnessed rain for only a few hours.

He added keeping in mind the delay in the arrival of the monsoon the purohits held the yajna to appease rain God as during ancient times saints used to perform yajnas for rain.

Meanwhile, farmers too have expressed concern that the delay in the monsoon was affecting their crop yield. They said the Ganga canal alone was not sufficient for a good variety of crops as rainwater had various ingredients that boost the crop quality.

Poonam Bhagat, chairperson of the women farmers’ wing of the Congress, said if the monsoon got further delayed they would submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Union Finance Ministry for the grant of a special package to the farmers of Haridwar.

Haridwar, July 2
In view of the Kanwar fair, various raids and inspections are being conducted on food joints, dhabas, restaurants and eateries, particularly those near the Kanwar stretch.

A special checking drive is being conducted in the Haridwar, Roorkee and Laksar belt in areas through which Kanwariyas tread as they mostly eat on these food joints.

A special team led by Food Security Officer Yogendra Pandey conducted an inspection at food joints here today. At Vishal Mega Mart outlet, the team checked the packed food items, tags, expiry dates and took samples of open foodgrains.

While at other eateries, the team directed owners to immediately dispose of food items that were being sold in open and water as the fear of spreading of contagious diseases loomed large in this season.

Meanwhile, as per directives of SSP, Haridwar, Arun Mohan Joshi, all food joints, eateries, restaurants should have to display rate list outside their shops so that Kanwariyas could not be fleeced.

This is being done keeping in view the past few years experiences when brawls took place between Kanwariyas and traders owing to disparity in the price rate.

The SSP has warned of strict action against the violating traders who charge more than the printed or normal rate as it can affect the peaceful completion of the Kanwar fair. A meeting with various trade associations was also called by the SSP in which traders were urged to cooperate with the police in conducting the smooth peaceful Kanwar mela.

Dehradun, July 2
Dr Harish, a “sah-prant pracharak” of the RSS called on Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhavan, Nainital, today. He discussed several issues at length with the Governor.

The Governor assured Harish that all issues related to the welfare of the public and environment issues would be taken care of and necessary action would be taken from the appropriate platform.

Harish discussed issues like improving the facilities for the Char Dham Yatra pilgrims, cleaning of the Ganga and maintaining its free flow, improving health, education, potable water and road connectivity. Dhruv Rautela and Godan Dhauni were also with Harish, who met the Governor.

Dehradun, July 3
The contract of the last of the superspecialists, Arvind Mamgai (Neurosurgeon), ended yesterday. Now both Doon Hospital and Coronation Hospital are without the services of superspecialists, who were contracted last year to provide services in the area of neuro sciences, endocrinology, plastic surgery and urology.

Dr Arvind Mamgai was the last man standing and it was assumed that the Uttarakhand that had been sleeping over the renewal of contract of super specialists would once for all take a concrete decision, but true to expectations, it allowed the contract of Mamgai to end. Several patients who were used to seeing Dr Mamgai at his OPD in the Doon Hospital had to return back home as the door of his room was locked. Coronation Hospital, where the plastic ward was set up with the aim to provide services under the expertise of superspecialist Mohit Goyal, paints a sorry figure. Instead of a specialist, a regular surgeon is now attending on the patients.

Similarly, so many patients with endocrine problems are left with no option but to approach the private doctors.

"The matter was put up again and again before the government. I even met the Health Minister, Surinder Singh Negi, who assured that the matter would be put during the Cabinet meeting slated to be held on July 15," said Dr B.C Pathak, Principal Superintendent, Doon Hospital.

The superspecialists comprising private doctors were specially contracted by the government to render OPD services (morning to afternoon) for a one-year term at the two hospitals but as the contracts of these super specialists ended, the government failed to renew them.

Dehradun, July 2
Maj Prakash Kumar, his wife Leena and two children sustained serious injuries when the Army jeep they were travelling in collided with a utility vehicle and fell into a deep gorge near Shiv Mandir, Chakrata, today.

The condition of the couple is stated to be critical.

The police has recovered the utility vehicle, but is yet to take action against the driver as no complaint has been lodged so far.