Urgent need for water conservation: CM

RAIPUR,CG(INDIA): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has emphasized the urgent need for water conservation in the state as the summer season intensifies. Addressing officials during a detailed review meeting of the Public Health Engineering Department at Mahanadi Bhavan, the Chief Minister assured that the state government is actively working to resolve water issues and is closely monitoring the situation.

He informed that, as a result of swift action, 11,238 hand pumps have already been repaired through 86 mobile units across the state. He directed officials to immediately address any complaints related to drinking water availability, ensuring no delay in resolving issues affecting the public.

Chief Minister Sai highlighted the importance of the Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship initiative of the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aims to ensure tap water access to every household. He urged officials to speed up the completion of remaining works under this mission and prepare a comprehensive action plan for the upcoming year.

Taking note of areas facing acute water scarcity, especially 10 development blocks in six districts, the Chief Minister called for both short-term and long-term strategies to combat the water crisis. He instructed the departments to prepare a list of villages that lack water sources so that targeted interventions can be made.

As part of the state’s broader strategy, CM Sai underlined the need to promote water conservation practices like recharge pits and rainwater harvesting. He stressed strict regulation of groundwater use to prevent unchecked exploitation.

One of the key directives issued was the extensive promotion of the “Catch the Rain” campaign, urging coordinated efforts from the Agriculture, Water Resources, Panchayat and Rural Development, and Forest Departments. He appealed to the public to treat water as a precious resource and make conservation a collective priority, saying, “Water is the foundation of life, and preserving it should be everyone’s foremost responsibility.”