Sunni water crisis to end soon: Vikramaditya

Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday said work on a Rs 25 crore scheme to address the water crisis in Sunni region was progressing at a war footing and would be completed within a month. He said this while addressing residents in Sunni during his visit to the area.

The minister said that once completed, the project would ensure proper drinking water supply to the people of the region.

He also assured the people that all vacant posts at the Sunni Civil Hospital would be filled at the earliest for which efforts were being made by the government. He said that he regularly discussed the matter with the Health and Family Welfare Minister to ensure that people here got better healthcare facilities.

He further said that in-principle approval for establishing a Critical Care Unit (CCU) in Sunni had already been granted, but budget approval was awaited. “The matter will be taken up with the Union Health Minister so that Rs 25 crore can be released at the earliest for construction of the building,” he said.

He also said that several development works were underway in Sunni which included the installation of interlocking tiles and solar lights, as well as the construction of drains in the market area.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, who chaired a special meeting here said that desilting work in the Sutlej would commence soon, providing relief from the rising water levels in the area. During the meeting, the NTPC submitted the bathymetry and siltation report for the Koldam Hydro Power Station to Kashyap, who said that Koldam management was instructed to conduct a bathymetry and siltation survey using sonar technology due to the increasing silt in Sutlej River in the Sunni area.

“Bathymetry studies involve the depth and topography of the underwater surface, which, in simple terms, can be called underwater mapping or seafloor surveying. This technique uses instruments like sonar, echo sounder, and LiDAR to map the bottom of rivers, lakes, and oceans. The survey was conducted by a team of IIT, Roorkie by using sonar. Based on silt levels, the area has been divided into three zones, viz Tattapani, Sunni and Chaba,” said Kashyap.

He said that a change in silt accumulation was observed from 2014 to 2023. “Silt accumulation significantly rose in Zone 3 in 2022 and 2023. This has occurred due to road construction, project work and flooding, etc. “The report has revealed that silt has accumulated in the reservoir, however, the accumulation is within the reservoir’s capacity,” he added.

The DC said that experts had suggested desilting for which the administration was developing a comprehensive plan. “This will prevent water levels from rising and the affected areas from being threatened during the monsoon,” he said.

Kashyap said the DFO would conduct a detailed study of the regulations, including the FCA permissions, regarding desilting. “After studying all the regulations, the local administration will develop an SoP to start the process for which the Koldam management has assured all possible assistance,” said the DC.