In a significant move to address long-standing civic concerns, the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department in Ranchi officially launched a dedicated mobile helpline service on Wednesday. This initiative is designed to empower city residents, allowing them to directly report a range of water-related problems for prompt departmental action.
Direct Line for Water Woes: Numbers and Purpose
The department has introduced three helpline numbers where citizens can lodge complaints regarding contaminated water, irregular supply, and leakages in the distribution network. The numbers to contact are 79735-67020, 85460-51917, and 88630-16796. The step aims to bridge the communication gap between the public and the authorities, ensuring quicker redressal of issues that affect daily life and public health.
This development follows a series of reports highlighting the persistent struggles faced by Ranchi's residents with their potable water infrastructure. The department's executive engineer for the Swarnarekha distribution section, Chandrasekhar, issued a public notice detailing the new service. He emphasized the department's commitment to preventing a crisis similar to a recent incident in Indore. "We will promptly redress the issues, ensuring safe water is received by the citizens," he assured.
Residents' Plight and Hope for Change
The launch has been met with cautious optimism by locals who have endured water troubles for months. Shubham Kumar, a professional living in a rented accommodation, shared a harrowing experience: "I had to be hospitalised due to diarrhoea and vomiting in October last year. When doctors suspected impure water, I switched to packaged water and haven't fallen ill since." His story underscores the direct health implications of water quality.
Other residents echoed similar frustrations. Nitin Kumar from Kokar pointed out the extreme irregularity of supply, with water sometimes arriving during the day, late at night, or not at all for three to four consecutive days. Aryan Kumar from Purulia Road lamented receiving dirty water for months. Brijbhushan Kumar of Lalpur welcomed the helpline, stating, "People often don't know whom to approach. A dedicated helpline will help in raising alarms early and prevent bigger crises."
Behind the Scenes: Ensuring Water Safety
While acknowledging the distribution challenges, the department outlined its existing safety protocols. Executive Engineer Chandrasekhar explained that the water supplied to households is tested daily before distribution. The water undergoes chlorination to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses that cause diseases like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. Furthermore, the water tanks at the distribution plant are cleaned twice a year during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods.
The Swarnarekha distribution section is a critical utility, providing approximately 180 million litres of water per day to around 80% of Ranchi's population. The new helpline service represents a proactive attempt to improve the reliability and safety of this vast network, putting the power to report and seek solutions directly into the hands of the citizens it serves.
