SAIL Chairman discusses water issue with Jharkhand CM

Shanky T

Bokaro ( Jharkhand): Getting information about  the alarming situation facing Bokaro steel plant whose production has been affected considerably due to acute  shortage of water  in the wake of several  breaches and dozens of leakages  in Tenughat canal which  caters to entire water need of the plant besides lakhs of citizens  living in Bokaro steel city, SAIL chairman P K Singh along with  SAIL technical adviser  B K Singh rushed to Bokaro from  Delhi  on November 22 and after inspecting the repaired breached spots of Tenughat canal with senior officers  met Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das and water resources minister C P Chowdhary the same night.

Sail chairman sought help from the chief minister in solving the present water crisis which has resulted in big loss to the plant  besides helping the steel giant  in laying another water pipeline from Tenughat dam so that Bokaro never faces water crisis.

Earlier, the chairman who was accompanied by Bokaro steel plant chief executive officer  Anutosh Maitra and several other senior officers including technocrats  stayed at the place for about 45 minutes holding parley with his officials on every aspect of the canal  besides finding out alternative  ways in case the canal does not fulfil water need of the steel plant. Later, talking to the mediapersons at Tenughat, the chairman admitted that due to shortage of water Bokaro steel plant was suffering huge losses as several of its units have closed down hampering the  production of steel besides lakhs of residents of Bokaro steel city are also suffering due to acute water shortage.

On being asked that what  does he think is the solution of the problem, SAIL chairman.P K Singh stated that  SAIL is thinking of an alternative arrangement for supplying water through another pipeline for which he will have talks with  Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das and state water resources department minister. “We can’t be over dependent on Tenughat canal rather will have to search for an alternative which will be done very soon after talks with the chief minister, “ he said. When asked whether an inquiry will be held into frequent breach in the canal, the SAIL chairman stated that an inquiry into this matter is already on  and once the report comes,  he will submit the report to union steel ministry.