JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all private water filling stations operating across Jammu division to register themselves with the authorities concerned within 10 days.
The directive aims to create a credible registry of private water filling stations and strengthen oversight of water distribution services in the region, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana said.
Officials said the move is intended to ensure quality control, enhance accountability, and streamline the supply of potable water, particularly during periods of high demand.
The minister emphasized that maintaining an updated database of such facilities would help authorities monitor operations more effectively and safeguard public interests by ensuring adherence to prescribed standards.
Rana passed the directions while chairing a review meeting with officers of the Jal Shakti Department to take stock of the measures initiated to address the summer exigencies and strengthen preparedness for the ensuing monsoon season here on Saturday.
The Minister reviewed the status of various initiatives aimed at ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply, enhancing flood management capabilities and strengthening the department’s response mechanism to meet any eventuality, the officials said.
Underlining the urgent need to address declining groundwater tables and erratic precipitation patterns, Rana stressed that rainwater harvesting must be treated as a core component of water resource planning in Jammu and Kashmir.
He called for a fundamental shift in water management practices and emphasised the need for strict implementation of the mandate requiring the incorporation of rainwater harvesting infrastructure in all newly constructed government buildings.
The Minister also directed the officers to undertake monitoring of groundwater levels across all districts in close coordination with the Central Ground Water Board and ensure that timely corrective measures are taken based on the assessments and inputs received.
He stressed that regular monitoring and data-driven interventions are crucial for sustainable groundwater management and effective planning to address emerging water stress.
He directed the officers to maintain a high level of preparedness and ensure that all necessary measures are in place to effectively address challenges arising from water scarcity, heatwave conditions and potential flood threats during the monsoon season.
The Minister called upon officers to ensure that all repairable hand pumps in Jammu Division are restored immediately and that defunct borewells are revived without delay.
Rana also directed the officers to identify and implement all necessary flood protection measures, including construction of protective walls and other structural interventions, to safeguard water supply infrastructure from future flood damage. — (PTI)