Deputy CM inspects cloudburst-hit water schemes

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 2
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today inspected drinking water schemes of the Jal Shakti Department in Bagi Pool, Matiyana, Kumarsain, Sainj and Kurpan Khad, which were affected by a cloudburst on July 31.
Agnihotri said the Jal Shakti Department has suffered a loss of about Rs 10 crore due to a flood in Bagipul. “The officers and employees of the department are working hard to make the drinking water schemes functional so that people do not have to suffer,” he said.
The Deputy CM said a sum of Rs 315 crore was being spent on the Kurpan Khad project and the work was in the final stages.
The flood caused by the cloudburst destroyed the pump house, machinery and tanks of the scheme. He said appropriate guidelines had been given to the top officials of the department to re-establish the scheme.
He said the Jal Shakti Department had suffered a loss to the tune of Rs 10 crore due to breakage and washing away of booster, intake structure, feed line sump well, pump house, pumping machinery and pipes of Kurpan Khad drinking water scheme in the Matiyana area of Shimla. In Rampur, the department has suffered damage to 19 drinking water schemes and one sewerage line costing Rs 7.5 crore.
The Deputy CM said of the 19 drinking water schemes, four were under construction while 10 had been restarted so far. Efforts are being made to make the remaining five schemes functional by this evening. He said water supply to the Rampur hospital was restored yesterday.
During his visit to Bagipul in the Nirmand area of Kullu, Agnihotri met the disaster-affected families and shared their grief.
He said the scene of devastation caused by the cloudburst was horrific and painful and with the bridge being washed away, people had lost contact with the area.
He said the administration was engaged in relief and rescue operations with full alertness. Every possible help is being provided by the government, Agnihotri added.