Sundargarh: It is said that every crisis is a manifestation of some hidden opportunities, which have been befittingly proved so by Sundargarh District Magistrate (DM) Nikhil Pavan Kalyan. During his visits to different parts of the district, he did not only observe the people facing hardships due to water shortage but also faced water crisis at the government circuit houses. “I immediately made up my mind to take up water harvesting in a mission mode. We are planning to ensure that every household in Sundargarh is equipped with the provision of water harvesting,” said Nikhil, while talking to Rajeev Ranjan Roy of Bureaucrats India.

Nikhil revealed that Sundargarh District Administration has implemented rooftop rainwater harvesting in all 17 blocks to check the depleted groundwater levels. “The project is going to be implemented on the roofs of various government offices, hostels, hospitals, schools and other buildings. It is the need of the hour if we have to get water 24 x 7. The wastage of water has to be checked under any circumstances,” added Nikhil.

The District Magistrate said that in the first phase of the programme around 1,000 schools and other related establishments would be covered. Thereafter, all other government establishments will be taken up where water harvesting facilities will be created. “We are not going to stop here. The idea is to equip every individual household in the district with a water harvesting facility. We cannot afford the wastage of either rain or potable water,” he said.

Taking pride in what he has been able to do and the kind of support they are getting from the people, Nikhil said that as of March this year, more than 350 projects have been completed. The rest of the projects are under construction in various blocks. The District Mineral Foundation Sundargarh, (DMF) has provided financial assistance for the initiative. “Funds will not be an issue. At the same time, works are being carried out in a very transparent manner. We have engaged agencies selected through proper tendering,” he said.

Nikhil said that works have been going on for the last eight months now. “We will have an impact assessment of projects as well. There are certain vulnerable areas where there is a need to improve the water level which is possible only by harvesting rain and potable water as well. No water should be wasted. I have personally felt and seen people suffering a lot due to water shortage. Whatever is being done is very close to our heart,” he said.

In response to a question, Nikhil said that people need to feel about the pressing issues they are facing. “Water is one such issue. We cannot do such things if we do not feel for larger issues. During my visit to villages, I have seen the kind of hardships people face due to water shortage. We can address the problem of water shortage in a sustainable manner only through harvesting the water in a mission mode,” said Nikhil. /BI/