Bhubaneswar, Mar 24: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked to remain better prepared to ensure proper water supply in the rural and urban areas in view of soaring temperature.

Patnaik urged officials to map the hot spot areas, where there are issues regularly with water supply, and ensure that preventive steps are taken immediately.

“All the GPs and ULBs have to give a certificate on 100 percent readiness.  A fool-proof grievance redressal system and technology-driven monitoring system should be put in place.  The senior officials should closely monitor the adherence to the protocols and ensure strict action against erring officials,” said Patnaik.

He suggested that the Chief Secretary and the Collectors should take regular review on this issue and ensure no problem across the State.

“Our Government has been making huge investments in drinking water supply in the urban and rural areas. 89 Mega projects worth Rupees 17 thousand crores for rural areas are already under implementation. We are working towards ensuring 100 percent piped water supply connection to all rural households by 2024. In the urban areas, we have spent more than Rupees 3 thousand 8 hundred crores in the last 3 years alone and it is planned that all the urban households will be provided with piped water supply by 2022. To ensure quality drinking water supply to the citizens has been a priority for us and especially during the summer season,” he added.