Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday directed officials to ensure that untreated wastewater does not flow directly into ponds across the state. He said water must undergo scientific treatment before entering ponds, while equal attention should be given to their cleanliness, beautification and long-term maintenance.
The Chief Minister issued the directions while chairing a meeting of the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority at the Haryana Civil Secretariat.
320 Ponds To Be Renovated, 467 More Identified
Saini directed officials to expedite the ongoing renovation and beautification of 320 ponds and complete the work at the earliest. Another 467 ponds have been identified for similar work, and officials have been asked to begin the process.
According to officials, Haryana has 20,100 ponds, including 19,219 in rural areas and 881 in urban areas. The government is focusing particularly on ponds facing pollution and overflowing problems.
The Chief Minister also called for a special maintenance campaign for ponds where renovation work has already been completed.
Wastewater Must Be Treated Before Entering Ponds: CM Saini
The meeting discussed ways to prevent untreated grey and black water from entering village ponds. Officials are considering wastewater management systems and sewage treatment plants (STPs) outside pond areas, using available panchayat or village land where required.
Saini directed officials to explore micro-STPs in rural areas and ensure necessary pre-treatment of wastewater before it reaches ponds.
Technologies such as mechanical aeration and nanobubble systems were also discussed. The Chief Minister asked officials to first test these technologies through pilot projects and expand their use if the results prove effective.
Yogshalas, Open Gyms Planned Around Village Ponds
The Haryana government also plans to connect pond redevelopment with recreational facilities for rural residents.
Saini said villages where new yogshalas have been proposed should explore developing them around renovated ponds. Facilities such as sheds and open gyms should also be created wherever feasible.
The government believes greater public use of these areas could encourage local communities to take a more active role in maintaining ponds.
New Mechanism To Allow Residents To Report Poor Pond Conditions
Officials informed the Chief Minister that a dedicated mechanism, modelled on the ‘Mhari Sadak’ app, would be developed for ponds.
Residents will be able to report poor pond conditions or requirements for improvement along with location tagging. Complaints would then be forwarded to the respective sarpanch and officials for necessary action.
The state has also made a provision to use 5 per cent of the Development and Panchayats Department’s budget for pond maintenance.
Committees have been constituted in villages for the upkeep of ponds, with the sarpanch serving as chairman and the gram secretary and other representatives as members.
ADCs To Review Pond Maintenance
Saini directed Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs) to regularly review the functioning of village-level committees and prepare reports detailing the maintenance work carried out.
The committees will also be responsible for monitoring the upkeep of solar pumps installed at ponds.
The Chief Minister stressed standardisation of pond designs and drawings to maintain consistency and quality across projects. He warned that accountability would be fixed for officials responsible for renovation and maintenance work, and action would be taken in cases of negligence.
The Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority has also been directed to conduct periodic inspections and recommend action wherever quality standards are compromised.
