Residents see red over non-functional ROs

Amid the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned, most of the reverse osmosis (RO) systems installed in the district have gone none functional. Residents blame officials of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board for “not taking care” of the same. In such a situation, the abandoned RO centres have become a hotbed for addicts, who gather there frequently to inject themselves with drugs.

Residents say that the groundwater is contaminated and its consumption makes them prone to dreadful diseases, like cancer. The ROs have been installed in the last ten years on the complaints of the border area residents regarding water contamiantion. Residents in large numbers take advantage of the ROs. 

The management of the RO plants is with private companies. Most of the plants have gradually become non-functional. 

Narinder Singh, Executive Engineer (XEN) of the department, said that out of total 83 in the district, 10 RO plants have been closed. As this correspondent contended that the number of such plants was more than 10, he said, “Fresh report will be sought from the officials concerned.”Virsa Singh Valtoha, SAD leader and former MLA from Khemkaran, said the maintenance of the RO plants was not being taken care of, resulting in their closure. 

Gurdit Singh, a resident of Ghariala village, said the trend of using RO water in the border belt had decreased as people thought that the habitual users of RO water often complain of joint pain and other ailments. Nishan Singh, former sarpanch of Sakhira village, too, echoed the same. 

Dr Inder Mohan Gupta, SMO-cum-in-charge of the Civil Hospital, Khemkaran, said there was no such report which suggested that the use of RO water resulted in ailments. 

Balwinder Singh, an employee deputed to take care of RO plants in Mughal Chack Pannuan, said he was given only Rs 2,500 per month by his employer for working seven hours daily. 

RO plants in Valtoha, Varnala, Bhura Kona, Khamkaran, Rattoke, Sakhira and other villages are non-functional.

Contributed by Gurbaxpuri