A meeting was held on water issues and management in Leh on July 4, in which Pramod Jain, Chairperson, State Water Resources Regulatory Authority (SWRRA) asked full-fledged database comprehensive report on the state of affairs in PHE and Irrigation & Flood Control Division of Leh by July 10 and a water audit report by July 20.

Pramod Jain enquired in detail about the water-related issues in the district and the status of the meter system on water usage.

He stressed on charging fees for water usage by implementing a metering system at the earliest possible in Leh. The engineers were asked to ensure availability, quality, reliability, and functionality of the metering hardware considering its feasibility relevant to the district. Also, he directed to regularize the illegal connections and to give new connections only on the installation of the meter.

He also asked about the total requirement, availability, usability, and wastage of water, irrigation potential and amount of water used for irrigation, total canals created, safety of water reservoirs in terms of hygiene, laboratory test of drinking water supply, assured and non-assured water supply and total villages covered.

He said that community participation has made obligatory and urged the officers to consider people’s view in checking water stress at ground level.

The officers were asked to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the winter season and to have department vision based on a modern, purposive, futuristic and professional approach.

He asked to prepare a data-based report on groundwater availability, glaciers, lakes, springs, hydraulic water and to conduct a water body census. The Superintendent Engineer, PWD was asked to appoint a public grievance redressal forum and ensure timely response to people’s problems through a call center and to submit monthly detail report to his office.

He said that failing in compliance with these instructions, punitive action shall be taken against concern officer through a penal monetary punishment.

Avny Lavasa highlighted the water problem at the implementation level and informed about the difficulty in proper water supply during winter months due to extreme cold temperature. She requested for some cost-effective technical support from SWRRA in addressing the issue.

She informed that from July 9 water fees will be collected from consumers on a flat rate till the metering system doesn’t get installed.