Municipal authorities in Ranchi have decided to set up a number of rain water harvesting structures to tackle acute water crisis that is a usual phenomenon across the capital in the summer months.

According to Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) deputy mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargia, the plan is to build at least four rain water harvesting structures in each of the 53 wards of the capital.

“The RMC standing council has already given its nod for budgetary provisions for building 300 structures. We will now place the plan before the RMC board for a final budget blueprint which would be then sent to the state urban development for budget sanction,” said Vijaywargia.

According to sources, rainwater harvesting structures are to be built in public parks, open grounds and near market complexes.

“Our site selection will be based on the feasibility study for the project. The construction cost for each e rainwater harvesting structure will be between Rs 70,000 and Rs 1 lakh,” said an official, adding that this would be the first time RMC would be building rain water harvesting structures.

RMC will also construct water harvesting pits near dead tubewells. “We have 180 dead tubewells in various wards of RMC. A private firm will soon complete a feasibility study after which we will start construction of water harvesting pits to recharge the underground water table,” said RMC executive engineer Ashok Kumar.

In another measure to ensure residents’ inconveniences are minimised, deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray has directed the setting up of a control room at the district collectorate for quick redressal of complaints regarding water supply during summer.

“A directive has been issued to the drinking water and sanitation department to repair defunct tubewells on a war footing. I have also sought the setting up of a district control room for water at the collectorate. A helpline number, 0651-2213022, will be set up where residents can call with their problems between 8am and 8pm. The control room will be manned on Saturdays and Sundays too,” Ray said.

Water is supplied to Ranchi from the three reservoirs, namely, Hatia, Kanke (or Gonda) and Rukka Dam.

Hatia reservoir provides water to around 3 lakh people in Hatia, HEC Township, Dhurwa, Chutia, Doranda, Hinoo and Airport Road, among others. Kanke reservoir serves 8 lakh people in Kanke, parts of Morabadi and Upper Bazar, besides Raj Bhavan, the chief minister’s residence and Rinpas.

Ranchi’s main reservoir at Rukka supplies water to over 70 per cent of the population that works out to 12 lakh.