MLA plea: Release dam water into Subarnarekha

Jamshedpur: Ahead of summer, the depletion of water level in the Subarnarekha river has raised apprehension of water crisis for families depended on the Moharda drinking water project.
Jamshedpur (East) MLA Saryu Rai on Sunday wrote a letter to the state water resources department seeking release of water to the Subarnarekha from Chandil dam on priority basis.

In his letter, the lawmaker has contended that depletion of water compounded by the dumping of domestic waste into the river causes stagnation of the water. Further, stagnated water turns into breeding ground for insects.
“In May 2022, the households getting tap water from the Moharda drinking water project found red-coloured insects in the water,” Rai said.
On the advice of experts of the Geological Survey of India, the MLA had given a representation to the authorities of the water resources department, Subarnarekha Multipurpose Project (SMP) and to the DC, East Singhbhum, requesting the release of the water from the Chandil reservoir.
“The favourable response of the officials resulted in the release of water to Subarnarekha from Chandil dam and we could prevent people from falling ill,” the MLA said.
About 30 cusecs of water were released from Chandil dam into the Subarnarekha on the request of the MLA in 2022. The Moharda water project sources its water from Subernarekha.
The MLA said the dumping of the sewage waste of the residential areas of Jamshedpur and Mango into Domuhani, which is the confluence of the Subarnarekha and Kharkhai rivers, is causing pollution.
The legislator said bulk of the industries in the steel city and adjoining Seraikela Kharsawan district source water from Subernarekha besides households are also depended on this river for their water needs. “If we don't address the problem on the priority basis, then people will suffer,” Rai said.
He has requested the water resources department officials to make sure the reserviour water is released into the river at regular intervals till the monsoon arrives.
Citing National Water Policy of 1987 and 2002, Rai said the primary reason for building the reservoir on the river is to provide clean drinking water to the populace. He said constitutional provisions entail release of 5% of the reservoir water into the river to maintain the flow of river.