Collect groundwater data across rural areas on war footing: Khandre

Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has directed officials to collect groundwater-level data on a war footing across all 5,927 gram panchayat areas in view of the worsening drinking water situation caused by the rainfall deficit.

At a meeting with senior officials at Vikas Soudha on Wednesday, Khandre said the number of villages facing drinking water problems was increasing day by day and the situation could worsen further during the summer. He directed officials to assess the likely drinking water requirements until the next monsoon and prepare an appropriate plan.

He asked officials to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the number of villages currently dependent on borewells for drinking water and determine how many borewells were likely to dry up during summer. Officials were also asked to identify alternative water sources in such areas.

The minister directed officials to assess the availability of surface water and examine the possibility of hiring private borewells wherever necessary. A detailed plan should also be prepared on the number of water tankers that would have to be hired to ensure supply to villages, he said.

Khandre also directed officials to identify vulnerable areas where neither groundwater nor surface water would be available and determine where water could be sourced from nearby locations.

He said advance planning should be undertaken on the measures required to transport and supply water to such villages.

Khandre said most parts of the state were facing drinking water problems due to the rainfall deficit and directed officials to create awareness among rural residents, industries, schools, colleges and various institutions on the need to use water judiciously.

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The Hans India