Nodal officer appointed to tackle water supply issues
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has designated the Executive Engineer (Public Health)-III as the nodal officer responsible for handling complaints related to water supply, contamination, leakage, and sewage-water intermixing. The order, issued by the MC Chief Engineer on Monday, mandates the officer to scrutinize all complaints received from various sources regarding water contamination and ensure immediate field verification. Corrective measures are to be initiated without delay, and compliance must be ensured.
Weekly review meetings mandated
The Superintending Engineer (Public Health) will closely monitor all such cases and hold a dedicated review every Friday with all Executive Engineers. The review will focus on areas from which repeated complaints are being received, so that permanent remedial measures can be planned and implemented. This structured oversight aims to address systemic issues rather than providing temporary fixes.
Quick response teams formed
The Executive Engineer (PH)-III has also been directed to constitute quick response teams (QRTs) in every public health division for prompt inspection and water quality testing immediately after the receipt of any complaint. The teams will ensure timely action to prevent any outbreak of water-borne diseases or epidemic-like situations in any part of the city. Daily water quality testing will be intensified, and reports from all divisions will be compiled and reviewed during the weekly meetings for assessment and monitoring.
Standard operating procedure to be prepared
The order also mandates the preparation of a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) covering water sampling, testing, complaint redressal, field inspections, inter-departmental coordination, reporting timelines, public communication, and preventive measures for uniform implementation across all public health divisions. This SOP aims to standardize responses and improve efficiency.
Top priority status with warning of serious action
The Chief Engineer has directed that the matter be accorded top priority, warning that any lapse in monitoring or response will be viewed seriously. The order notes that several complaints regarding contamination of drinking water have been reported from different parts of the city, prompting higher authorities to seek immediate, proactive, and sustained action to safeguard public health.
Councilors raised concerns in MC General House
The issue had also figured prominently during the recent MC General House meeting, where several councilors raised concerns over recurring water supply problems. The appointment of the nodal officer and the formation of QRTs are part of the city's response to these persistent complaints.
