Saurashtra town gets heavy rains,but gasps for water

The major pipeline supplying water from Ghee Dam was severely damaged in heavy rainfall,which was recorded 36 inches last week.

Hitendra Acharya,a resident of Khambhaliya said: “There is water everywhere except in the taps. There has been no water supply for the last seven days. We used rain water even for drinking purpose as the tanker service was not available due to heavy rains.”

Water supply was available for 30 minutes on Tuesday and the residents aren’t sure about the next supply,as the damaged lines are still to be repaired. Besides,even after the repair is carried out,supply will not be regular.

Khambhaliya Nagarpalika Chief Officer Sandeepsinh Rana said,“We do not have a proper supply network in place to maintain daily water supply.”

Recently,a 20 lakh litre capacity sump was constructed but there has been no supporting network to supply water from this artificial reservoir.

Rana said,as per the water quantum available,the nagarpalika can supply 70 liters per person per day,but in the absence of a proper supply network,only 50 litres is supplied at present.

The nagarpalika is in the process to begin work on a Rs 5.5 crore distribution network project,which will ensure daily water supply.

“We are in the process to invite tenders,” said Rana.