MC wakes up to water woes

LUDHIANA: Finally waking up from its deep slumber, the municipal corporation has decided to change nearly 50% of the non-functional chlorination dozers installed at tubewells for providing potable water supply to city residents.
According to information, a letter for the immediate implementation of the orders has already been written to the finance and contract committee (F&CC).
Ever since the outbreak of water-borne diseases that claimed many lives last year, MC officials had ensured clean drinking water to residents. However, MC���s claims fell flat, after commissioner GS Ghuman ordered the operation and maintenance (O&M) branch to conduct a survey on the functioning of all 445 tubewells in the city.
The survey report presented a clear picture of the MC���s lacklustre performance, as out of the total 445 dozers, only 265 were found in a working condition, whereas 112 were found to be non-functional and 68 were found missing from the tubewells.
Sources in MC said the dozers had not been replaced from last many years, due to which, residents were being forced to consume contaminated water and had fallen prey to water-borne diseases.
The zone-wise detail of dozers reveals that out of the total 95 dozers installed at tubewells in zone A, around 52 are in working condition, whereas in zone B, 55 out of 111 are functional. Similarly, 55 out of the total 88 dozers are working in zone C, while 103 dozers out of 161 are functioning in zone D.
However, civic body officials are claiming that they have sent the proposal regarding it to the F&CC for getting its nod to get the dozers changed. KS Dhillon, superintendent engineer, O&M branch, said, ���The proposal has been sent and the dozers will be replaced soon.���