Gujarat HC disposes of PIL over water scarcity in Kutch

Gujarat High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising the issue of water scarcity in the border Kutch district after the government submitted an action plan to cope with the situation.

The state government submitted to the court that Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board of Kutch has undertaken remedial measures to reduce the crisis.

As per an affidavit filed by the chief engineer of Water Supply and Sewerage Board of Kutch district, they have started implementing Scarcity Master Plan 2018-19 and begun measures of drilling of new bores, providing potable water through water tankers and filling of dams. Anjar- Kukma Pipeline Project, increase in quantity of Narmada water supply, weekly water scarcity meeting at taluka and district level, fortnightly meeting of Scarcity Relief Committee, introduced Helpline number 1916 and started district level control room in Bhuj.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Adam Chaki, vice president of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, seeking to redress water scarcity in Kutch district. He also mentioned names of the villages which are most affected due to the water scarcity. He submitted to the court that there is acute scarcity of water causing undue hardship to the residents, even fetching drinking water for themselves and providing water to the animals that are dying due to water scarcity.

He had suggested that the government undertake certain measures to ensure proper and adequate supply of water for humans and animals in the area.