Funds to be allotted for safe drinking water

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 18:- The municipal affairs and urban development minister, Mr Asok Bhattacharya, today, agreed to allot funds from his department, for expanding a project that involves supply of arsenic free water, in and around the English Bazaar municipal.In a meeting with the bigwigs of English Bazaar and Balurghat Municipalities, Mr Bhattacharya confirmed that his department would provide funds for constructing one overhead reservoir and pumping station. As demanded by the people, this will help the civic body to expand the supply of arsenic free water in large areas of the town. Mr Bhattacharya said: “The district magistrate has been asked to meet the PHE officials and civic body, on Monday, to chalk out a plan and budget for distribution of safe drinking water”. PHE minister, Mr Goutam Deb agreed to supply safe drinking water to urban areas, from the rural surface water treatment plant at Mathurapur, Manikchak. The plan did not materialise, due to money worries.Presently, the PHE supplies arsenic free water, in parts of two wards, in English Bazaar, through street taps. The minister, for the sake of safe drinking water, has also asked the Balurghat Municipality officials to prepare a plan for the surface water treatment plant, across Atryee River.Mr. Bhattacharya said: “According to the government, three projects, in English Bazaar, are indispensable, for expanding drinking water supply, developing slum areas and an electric crematorium”. He said: “Around Rs16 crore has been allotted for housing development in the slums of English Bazaar Municipality. The civic body will build houses worth Rs. 1 Lakh for the poor. The beneficiary should have his own land, with valid documents and will have to pay Rs 16,000. The centre will bear Rs. 64,000 and the state will splash Rs. 20,000, on this project called Integrated Housing Slum Development."The English Bazaar civic body has been asked to come up with more than 800 similar housing projects in the slums. A survey has already started in slum areas. Mr Bhattacharya informed that Rs 46 crore was sanctioned for English Bazaar, Old Malda and Balurghat Municipality, for slum development. The English Bazaar civic body officials, today, demanded more funds for development of a surface water treatment plant, based on Mahananda river.Mr Bhattacharya, today, laid the foundation stone of a surface water treatment plant at Nolabag, in Old Malda Municipal area. The cost of the project was more than Rs 18 crore. The Municipal engineering department will contract the project to supply drinking water. The urban development minister, today, also laid the foundation stone of a solid waste management project in Old Malda Municipality area. The cost of the project is Rs. 1.5 crore. Presently, the environment department has allotted Rs. 50 lakh.