Drinking water schemes to resume immediately in Assam: Minister Rihon Daimari

* Rs 400-crore projects stalled due to lockdown

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: All schemes related to safe drinking water across the State will be resumed with immediate effect following the government guidelines related to COVID-19. The direction in this regard was issued to the Department officers by Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Rihon Daimari on Monday. Owing to lockdown, many ongoing works worth approximately Rs 400 crore remained suspended in this ‘Essential Services’ sector.

Talking to The Sentinel, Minister Daimari said, “The working season of PHED — like that of PWD and Water Resources — begins from the fag end of September and continues till the last part of April, when rains slow down the pace of construction and repair works. As we’ve already lost almost a month due to the lockdown phases, the projects will definitely suffer this time. However, the Executive Engineers have been instructed to resume the pending works in consultation with the respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs).

“The contractors have been also directed to employ local people as labourers. They can engage persons from other places only if local labourers are not found. These persons will have to be kept in camps at the construction sites.

“Moreover, each labourer will have to wear anti-COVID face masks. Hand sanitizers will have to be made available at the various construction sites. Social distancing and all other government guidelines will also have to be followed strictly.”

Dwelling on issues faced by the PHED contractors, Minister Daimari pointed out, “A prime issue is that they are unable to get adequate hardware items that are necessary for carrying out such works. In this regard, the Executive Engineers have been directed to resolve such problems locally in consultation with the DCs.

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