Water tanks to help combat fires in remote villages of Kullu

KULLU, DECEMBER 27

Kullu DC Ashutosh Garg said an estimate had been prepared for the construction of 110 water storage tanks in the far-flung villages of the district which were vulnerable to fires.

Many houses were razed and huge amounts of property was damaged in the district, he stated here while presiding over a meeting organised in relation to various works to be done in coordination with various departments under the Panchavati Yojana and MGNREGA in the district.

Mentioning the recent fire disasters in Malana and Mazhan villages, he said it was difficult to reach these villages because these were not connected by road. Therefore, the damage to the property was more. There was need to take steps to minimise the damage caused by such incidents. It was decided to instal water storage tanks in sensitive villages.

The DC said the tanks would be constructed by the Forest Department in collaboration with the Jal Shakti Department under MGNREGA and other schemes. He directed the Block Development Officers to select such villages where water storage tanks were needed first.

Garg said at the time of construction, care should be taken to ensure that the tank was safe. The design and other technical support for constructing the tanks would be prepared by the engineers of Jal Shakti Department. Officials said a steel structure tank had been designed for Mazhan village. Similar tanks would be built in remote areas so that water can be supplied from the tanks at the time of a fire incident. — OC