UP Minister Sets 30-Day Deadline for Water Supply in Bundelkhand and Vindhya
In a decisive move, Uttar Pradesh Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh has issued a strict ultimatum to ensure water supply reaches every household in the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions within the next 30 days. The directive came during a high-level review of Jal Jeevan Mission projects at the Jal Nigam (Rural) office in Lucknow on Monday.
Firm Action Against Delayed Projects
Expressing severe dissatisfaction with the sluggish progress by several prominent companies involved in the projects, Minister Singh warned that failure to meet the 30-day deadline would result in immediate contract termination. He emphasized that FIRs would be lodged against the owners of companies that do not comply, underscoring the government's zero-tolerance approach to delays in this critical infrastructure initiative.
Road Repair Deadline Set for End of March
The minister also conducted a thorough review of road repairs necessitated by pipeline laying activities. He mandated that all damaged roads must be fully repaired by the end of March, without exception. This instruction follows a recent public disagreement with BJP's Charkhari MLA Brij Bhushan Rajput, highlighting the urgency attached to restoring infrastructure.
Officials provided detailed data, revealing that approximately 9,772 kilometers of roads were cut during pipeline installation in the two regions. Repairs have been completed on 9,435 kilometers, but some areas have experienced renewed damage due to rain or waterlogging, prompting ongoing repair campaigns.
Progress and Challenges in Water Supply
During the review, Singh noted that all projects in Bundelkhand and Vindhya were assessed, with 100% of work completed except for 4-5 projects. He reported that most villages are now receiving full water supply, though disruptions affect about 3% of villages due to pipeline damage or other issues.
Enhanced Communication and Public Engagement
The minister directed executive engineers and district officials to maintain transparent communication with public representatives, ensuring they are fully informed about project developments. Action will be taken against officials who fail to comply with this directive. Additionally, officials are instructed to proactively engage with villagers to address and resolve their concerns promptly.
Jal Utsav Celebration Planned
To mark the success of the water supply initiative, Singh announced that a Jal Utsav will be celebrated from March 8 to 22 in all villages achieving 100% household water supply. This festival is expected to take place in approximately 22,000 villages across Uttar Pradesh, symbolizing a milestone in the state's efforts to improve water accessibility.
