Need pure drinking water in industrial/ mining areas: CM

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday told officials to utilize surface water schemes in blocks facing acute crisis including industrial and mining belts to supply potable water to residents. Baghel was holding a review meeting of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department on Thursday here, states an official communication. He said over exploitation of ground water in these areas is making the problem further critical. The heavy metal content is higher due to blasting in mining areas, causing diseases among residents. The officials were told to prepare a foolproof arrangement for testing heavy-metals in drinking water. The Chief Minister said he favoured surface water supply schemes in critical blocks of Gurur (Balod district) and Dharsiwa (Raipur) and in semi-critical blocks of Bemetara, Saja, Navagarh, Berla, Balod, Takhatpur, Bilha, Rajim. Durg, Dhamda, Patan, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Dhamari, Kurud, Basna, Pithora, Malkharod, Pandaria, Kawardha, Baramkela and Pusaur.

Even in Raipur, to maintain continuous supply of water in Kharun river, water conservation structures should be built at Balod, Dhamtari, Durg, Patan and Abhanpur areas, he said.