DC pushes pace of water works under JSJB 2.0 in Panchkula

Panchkula: Tracking Panchkula’s progress under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0, deputy commissioner Satpal Sharma Monday directed departments to expedite water conservation and rainwater harvesting works.

He said the district should strive to emerge as a top performer in meeting targets set by the Union ministry of Jal Shakti.

JSJB 2.0 focuses on promoting rainwater harvesting structures, restoring traditional water bodies and undertaking watershed management activities, including afforestation. The initiative also emphasises convergence among central and state schemes implemented by water-related departments such as agriculture and rural development.

During the meeting, Sharma asked the forest department to construct check dams to store excess rainwater during the monsoon, noting that the stored water could be used for irrigation and allied purposes.

He directed the development and panchayats department to build adequate ponds and tanks in rural areas. The public works (buildings and roads) department, school education department, women and child development department, Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), development and panchayats department, and the municipal corporation were told to ensure rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in schools, anganwadi centres, panchayat buildings and other public structures.

Highlighting the role of water bodies, Sharma asked the development and panchayats and irrigation departments to prioritise renovation of traditional ponds and tanks. He also called for creating soak pits, stabilisation ponds and groundwater recharge structures to enhance storage and reuse.

The DC directed all departments to meet assigned targets and upload progress on the JSJB portal, adding that district performance would be assessed based on the number of completed recharge and water storage structures uploaded.