Mandya District Prepares for Summer Water Scarcity with Proactive Measures
In a decisive move to avert a potential drinking water crisis, Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer KR Nandini has issued comprehensive instructions to district officials, mandating proactive measures to prevent shortages during the upcoming summer months. Chairing a crucial meeting of the district water and sanitation committee, the CEO emphasized the urgent need for timely action to safeguard water supplies across rural areas.
Identifying Vulnerable Villages and Implementing Solutions
CEO Nandini directed all taluk panchayat executive officers and engineers from the rural drinking water and sanitation department to immediately identify villages vulnerable to water scarcity and initiate preventive actions without delay. She stressed that ensuring an adequate supply of safe, quality drinking water to every village must be treated as an absolute top priority, with no room for complacency.
According to official assessments presented during the meeting, 239 villages across Mandya district have been identified as potentially vulnerable to water shortages this summer. Of these, arrangements are being actively made to secure private borewells in 206 villages, while comprehensive tanker supply plans have been finalized for the remaining 33 villages. The CEO instructed officials to remain fully prepared with detailed contingency plans to handle any emergency situations that may arise during the peak summer period.
Water Quality Testing and Pure Drinking Water Units
In a significant directive aimed at ensuring water safety, CEO Nandini ordered all gram panchayats to conduct thorough water quality testing in every village using Field Test Kits (FTK). She mandated that in cases where water is found unfit for human consumption, immediate steps must be taken to supply safe drinking water from alternative sources without any unnecessary delay.
The CEO further emphasized that all Pure Drinking Water Units established across the district must remain fully operational throughout the summer. She issued strict instructions that if any unit develops a technical fault or malfunction, the concerned agency must be informed immediately for prompt repairs. In villages where these units have been handed over to Gram Panchayats, responsible officers must personally ensure their proper functioning and regular maintenance.
Monitoring Jal Jeevan Mission and Training Neerugantis
Additional instructions were given to taluk panchayat executive officers to closely monitor the quality of ongoing works under the central government's Jal Jeevan Mission. They were specifically directed to identify active Neerugantis (water managers) in each gram panchayat and ensure they receive proper training in the operation and maintenance of water supply systems. This training initiative aims to build local capacity for sustainable water management and infrastructure upkeep.
The comprehensive directives issued by CEO KR Nandini reflect a proactive approach to water management, focusing on prevention rather than reaction to potential crises. With summer temperatures expected to rise significantly in the coming months, these measures aim to ensure that Mandya's rural population has uninterrupted access to safe drinking water, addressing both quantity and quality concerns through systematic planning and implementation.
