Chandigarh, May 21: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has ordered testing and strict monitoring of canal-based drinking water supply in the southern parts of the state to check any contamination triggered by the spill of molasses into the Beas.
The CM has issued instructions to the departments of water supply and sanitation, water resources, local government and Punjab Pollution Control Board to undertake detailed testing of the water supply in towns and villages in southern parts.
He has asked these departments to constitute special teams and take all necessary steps to check any contamination of drinking water, said an official spokesperson.
The CM has also directed the deputy commissioners of the districts concerned to closely monitor the water supply and promptly address any problem. The DCs have been asked to coordinate with the water resources department to ensure cleaning of the water channels of dead fish in their respective jurisdictions, said the spokesperson.
The PPCB had directed the departments to close the inlet points for their water supply schemes to prevent contaminated water from flowing in from upstream Beas. Though the release of additional fresh water into the river had led to significant improvement in the situation, the government was taking no chances, said the spokesperson.
He said the waterworks in Faridkot, Fazilka, Muktsar and Ferozepur districts had adequate storage. The supply of clean water in the canals downstream of Harike was likely to be restored within the next 24 hours, he said.
