Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday directed all the corporators to open water kiosks in their respective wards from Wednesday to deal with the heat wave-like conditions in the capital city.
With a harsh summer in the offing, the civic body has readied an action plan to tackle the heat wave condition in Bhubaneswar. On February 8, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das chaired a meeting in the presence of Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange and discussed the preparation of an action plan to deal with the harsh summer in the BMC area.
Addressing the BMC officials, the Mayor said, “The planning should be realistic for all sections of the population in the capital city and the line departments need to extend their support to prevent casualties. Water kiosks are required they need to be ready on time.”
Das also instructed the officials to repair the existing water ATMs and ensure their functionality. Health centres and casualty management plan needs to be published to prevent any panic situation from arising, she said.
Referring to the Mayor’s instruction, Commissioner Kulange asked the officials to submit the subsection-wise plan and line departments’ preparedness at the earliest. He emphasised on the requirements of a particular section of the population such as masons and daily labourers who work under the sun for their bread. Instead of working during the peak hours from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm, their working hours need to be changed, he said.
After a section-wise plan is approved, the BMC will release an SOP will be prepared for citizens’ awareness. Area wise RWAs, SHGs and social organisations will be requested to support the initiative.
According to BMC officials, control rooms will be opened with toll-free numbers along with the existing 1929 involving Watco, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), Fire Services, PHD and health services wing. Water tankers, tubewells as well as the water ATMs lying defunct will be restored in the coming weeks.
While Watco will look after the maintenance and restoration of tankers, tubewells, etc., the emergency wing of BMC will ensure the availability of 40 water ATMs and kiosks near parks and bus stops for people.
Sources said during a recent meeting chaired by mayor Sulochana Das, the additional district urban public health officer has been asked to ensure 20 UPHC dispensaries and 11 homoeopathy dispensaries are made functional round-the-clock. The BMC hospital in Old Town and special cells in health centers will also function round-the-clock for the treatment of heatstroke patients. Focus will also be on enforcement and regular checking of hotels, restaurants and food joints to check the sale of stale food and maintenance of hygiene and cleanliness.
