Bhubaneswar: In light of the summer heatwave, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra on Friday reviewed the various measures adopted in urban areas.
According to an official press release, during the review, Minister Mahapatra issued strict instructions to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water, to make non-functional tube wells operational, to activate 24×7 control rooms, and to promptly address public complaints. He advised strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the department to tackle the summer heatwave.
The department’s directive highlights that irregular rainfall and unpredictable weather patterns have led to an unusual rise in temperatures during the summer season. Additionally, urban residents are experiencing higher temperatures due to large buildings, wide roads, and heat-absorbing infrastructure.
Considering the situation, the Housing and Urban Development Department has issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and emphasized its strict implementation. Principal Secretary of the Department Usha Padhee provided detailed information on the necessary steps to be taken by all urban local bodies.
The directive states that adequate drinking water supply must be ensured in all urban areas. To achieve this, water supply pipelines should be maintained in proper working condition, and any complaints regarding water supply should be resolved within 24 hours. Emergency measures should be taken to ensure drinking water supply, and water tankers should be deployed at necessary locations. Additional tankers can be arranged if required.
All tube wells and hand pumps must be kept operational, and spare parts should be readily available for repairs. Control rooms should remain open as per schedule and be managed by responsible officers to address water shortage complaints.
The heatwave alerts issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) should be regularly tracked, and necessary communication should be established with the IMD or State Control Room if required.
Urban local bodies should start setting up additional water kiosks—drinking water distribution centers—at strategic locations such as road corners, intersections, government offices, bus stands, railway stations, and markets, with the help of voluntary organizations. The water provided at these kiosks should be of potable quality, and long-handle dispensers should be used. Water should be changed daily, and proper hygiene should be maintained.
Organizations that set up such facilities for publicity and discontinue them after the initial days should be excluded, and strict action should be taken against them.
Municipalities should take strict action against the burning of solid waste, garden waste, or tree residues. Public awareness should be raised to keep a container of water outside homes for birds, which should be changed daily for better hygiene. Roadsides should be cleaned as per regulations. To control flying dust, the following measures should be implemented:
Construction agencies and households should ensure that their construction sites are covered with tarpaulin or similar materials to prevent dust from spreading. Open areas should be watered regularly. They must also ensure the safe disposal of debris and broken materials immediately, or face penalties.
Vehicles transporting construction materials like sand, bricks, cement, and debris should be fully covered with tarpaulin sheets, and their movement should be restricted. The soil level near roads should be kept lower than the metal layer to prevent rainwater or vehicle movement from bringing it back onto the road.
Ash generated from fuel burned by roadside hotels and food stalls often piles up on roads, contributing to dust pollution and rising temperatures. The use of coal or coal briquettes should be banned in all urban areas.
All water bodies in and around urban areas should be restored, rejuvenated, and maintained to make them usable and accessible to the public, ensuring they remain pollution-free.
All environmental laws, rules, and guidelines related to improving the urban environment should be strictly enforced. The police, forest, health departments, and other relevant authorities have been advised to manage their respective responsibilities effectively.
The virtual meeting was attended by Municipal Director Arindam Dakua, Additional Secretary Rabindra Sahoo, Commissioners of all Municipal Corporations, Executive Officers of Municipalities and NACs, along with other concerned officials.
