Encroachments to be removed from rivers, ponds in Jamshedpur 

Task Force focuses on pollution-free urban water sources

Jamshedpur : A critical meeting of the task force for the conservation of urban water sources and the provision of pure drinking water was held in the Collectorate Auditorium under the chairmanship of Project Director ITDA,  Dipankar Chaudhary. Officials, including SDM Dhalbhum Shatabdi Majumdar and representatives from municipal bodies, attended the meeting to deliberate on the action plan for protecting water sources from encroachment and pollution.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding the implementation of a sustainable action plan. The task force decided that within three months, the original maps of all identified water sources would be reviewed to mark their exact boundaries. Reports on encroachments on government land surrounding these water sources would then be submitted to the Zonal Officer of Mango, Jamshedpur, and Chakulia.

Chaudhary emphasized the need for swift action against illegal encroachments under the provisions of the Jharkhand Nagar Palika Act 2011 and the Jharkhand Bhawan Nirman Bye-laws 2016. It was decided that encroachments would be cleared in a time-bound manner, ensuring the long-term conservation of these vital water bodies.

The Project Director issued stringent directions to address illegal settlements and jamabandi (land registry entries) on water source lands. He instructed the task force to promptly evict illegal settlers and cancel unauthorized registries in accordance with the law. “Illegal settlement on water source land poses a serious threat to our urban water supply and must be dealt with firmly,” he stated.

In addition to tackling encroachments, the meeting addressed the issue of pollution in urban water sources.  Chaudhary declared that the discharge of solid or liquid waste into water sources is a punishable offense under the Jharkhand Nagar Palika Act 2011, and offenders would face strict penalties. The municipal bodies were directed to intensify monitoring and enforcement to prevent such violations.

Recognizing the importance of reviving water sources nearing depletion, the meeting explored options for acquiring private land around such sources to expand their storage areas. Officials were tasked with determining the cost of land acquisition and preparing a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations for submission to the Urban Development and Housing Department, Jharkhand.

The task force stressed the importance of clearly marking encroachment-free zones around water sources. This would enable quick identification in case of future encroachments and help hold officials accountable for maintaining these zones. The meeting also discussed establishing mechanisms to regularly monitor freed-up areas to prevent recurring violations.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC),  Krishna Kumar; Mango Municipal Corporation representative  Suresh Yadav; Executive Magistrate cum In-Charge of the Law Branch; and Executive Officers from Chakulia Nagar Panchayat and Jugsalai Nagar Parishad.

The task force’s initiatives reflect a determined effort to protect urban water sources from encroachment and pollution while ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water for the city’s residents. The actionable steps outlined during the meeting highlight a collaborative approach involving strict legal enforcement, infrastructural planning, and community accountability.