Darjeeling MP Raju Bista raised the issue of the acute water crisis in various parts of the constituency under Rule 377 – which allows one to raise the matters of urgent public importance in the Parliament.
Addressing the house, Bista pointed out that despite receiving second highest rainfall after Cherrapunji, water scarcity is the most chronic problem in both urban and rural areas of Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars. Due to the lack of proper infrastructure and resources, the administration is failing to retain the abundant water received during the rainy season.
The MP maintained that the “unplanned growth of urban dwellings and inadequate infrastructure in rural region, traditional water sources like lakes, springs, and canals are drying up. Unchecked illegal sand and stone mining from rivers have resulted in the reduced retention capacity of our rivers. Adding to the problem, multiple dams built over Teesta River and its tributaries have brought about changes in our river systems and water cycle.”
The MP further accused the state government of failing to develop proper plans and policies for ensuring water safety for all despite being aware of the problem.
“…nearly 15 Lakh people are forced to live under acute water shortage in the towns of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Mirik, Siliguri – along with the Matigara, Phansidewa, Khoribari, Naxalbari, Gorubathan, Pedong/Algara and Chopra blocks,” Bista added.
As the centre has allocated Rs 2.87 lakh crore for Jal Jeevan Mission, Raju Bista has urged the Union Government to ensure the implementation of Har Ghar Jal programme in the region. He further requested the centre to take a holistic approach towards water resources management in the region and work towards rejuvenating and reviving local water bodies.
MP Raju Bista asserted that he will be working with local municipal and panchayat bodies, civil society organization and NGOs to launch a movement towards making the constituency a water abundant region in the coming days.
“I look forward to all of your cooperation and support and request everyone to join hands with me, keeping politics aside,” Bista added.