Drinking water tanks at Gun Hill lack safety

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, March 26

The door at the entrance to drinking water storage tanks at Gun Hill in Mussoorie is damaged. It is from here the Jal Sansthan supplies water to the town, and in the absence of doors miscreants can contaminate water, thus posing a threat to the lives of residents of Mussoorie.

The one side of the door at the entrance to drinking water storage tanks is missing while the other side of the door hangs precariously in a damaged condition due to the apathy of Jal Santhan officials.

Jal Sansthan officials use the same entrance to the storage tanks for mixing chlorine into water tanks to keep the water clean. Some sacks of chlorine powder can been seen lying abandoned at the entrance, much to the ire of local residents.

The condition of drinking water storage tanks leaves much to be desired. Wild weeds can be seen growing over the tanks due to the apathy of the department concerned.

The reservoir or storage tanks at Gun Hill dates back to the pre-Independence period with the first storage tank having been constructed in 1920.

Since then, storage tanks are filled during the winter. From here, water is supplied to households in the peak season in case of any emergency in the town.

Gun Hill is an important tourist destination accessed by tourists through a ropeway from Jhoola Ghar and a path deviating from the Mall to have a panoramic view of the Himalayas and the Doon valley on either side.

Shopkeepers at Gun Hill said entrance doors had been in a dilapidated condition for the last several years and curious tourists sometimes entered the tank area with impunity as no guard is posted there.

Gun Hill shopkeeper Narendar Singh said, “The business community ensured the safety of storage tanks by keeping a close eye on tourists so far. Jal Santhan, instead of securing the tanks, finds shopkeepers as a safety threat and is bent on shifting us from the spot.”

Jal Santhan CGM SK Gupta said he would look into the matter and direct officials concerned to do the needful within one week.