Panel to solve water scarcity

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT,  Kalimpong, Nov. 8: A four-member fact-finding committee has been formed to understand the reasons behind the frequent problem of water scarcity faced by the residents of the town and come up with solutions.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting called by Nirmalaya Gharami, the subdivisional officer of Kalimpong, here today in the wake of water shortage faced by the residents last week.

"The fact-finding committee headed by Dr. R.P. Sharma, engineer in the office of the Kalimpong SDO, will study the problem to find a long-term solution. It will submit its report in detail within three months and suggest what to do and how to improve (the system)," said Gharami.

The committee has one representative each of the public health engineering (water works) department of the GTA, Neora Khola Water Supply Scheme of the government and Kalimpong municipality.

The SDO's meeting was attended by representatives of all the three offices, besides Kalimpong MLA Sarita Rai. While the Neora scheme supplies water from source to the reservoir at Deolo, the PHE distributes water from the reservoir to households.

The problem of water scarcity becomes acute in Kalimpong particularly from February to May when there is little rain and residents get water supply every fourth or fifth day at best.