Srikakulam: Officials told to purify water bodies on war-footing

Srikakulam: Polluted water bodies, mainly tanks in and around villages and towns, must be purified within a month, according to District Revenue Officer (DRO) B Dayanidhi here on Wednesday.

He was holding a preparatory meeting with the Irrigation, Rural Water Supply (RWS) and Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials at the District Collectorate here.

Speaking on the occasion, the DRO explained that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued directions to government to carry out purification and restoration of water bodies, mainly those in and around the rural and

urban habitations. Most of the water tanks were being neglected and as a result, these bodies were polluted, and people were unable to utilise water from these tanks. Due to indiscriminate and irresponsible release of pollutants from various industries, both the ground and surface water resources are being polluted across the district. Another two prime reasons for pollution of water bodies are indiscriminate use of plastic and also use of pesticide, the PCB engineers explained. As per NGT orders all the water bodies are required to be purified and restored by July 31 July, otherwise governments need to pay compensation by way of depositing with the NGT, PCB Executive Engineer S Sankar Naik said. RWS Superintendent Engineer T Srinivasa Rao, Vamsadhara and Irrigation wings SEs P Ranga Rao and D Srinivas, Forest, Agriculture, Groundwater Departments officials attended meeting.