Public Health Engineering Department

Introduction

Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) is one of the important department of Chhattisgarh state Government. Safe Drinking Water Supply, execution of rural and urban water schemes, Maintenance of hand pumps, Sanitation and Ground water Recharging are the main functions of this department. It is the department's endeavor to ensure the public participation in selection and location of the services they required.

PHE division has been servicing at Korba since 1979, before the formation of Chhattisgarh state. PHE has two subdivisions in the district namely Korba and Katghora. A water sample-testing laboratory is located in district head quarter, where water samples of suspected hand pumps are being tested time to time.

In Korba district Public Health Engineering Department provides services to 713 villages. Drinking water supply by the hand pumps, piped water supply scheme and spot water supply arrangement are the main functions of the department.

The district achieved 40 ltr. Per capita per day water supply for 2289 habitations. Korba is declared as tribal district. The habitations are hilly, forest, remotely and scattered settled. Korba tribes prefer to reside in hills where common movement is not possible. The department has achieved to provide water supply arrangement in such habitations.

Drinking Water Sources

The tube wells are generally free from water quality problem. Only localized hand pumps are found with excess iron. Recently the department commissioned a water sample-testing laboratory, where physical and chemical parameters testing facilities are available.

The different Schemes and works executed by the Department

1. Hand Pump Installation

To chasing the Government's norms minimum 40 Ltr. of safe drinking water supply per day to ever inhabitants in each habitation. The block wise hand pump position is as follows

There are more than 20 years old hand pumps in the disteict, which are successfully supplying safe drinking water to the inhabitants.

For providing hand pumps to people following priorities are being concerned:-

1.        No source habitations.

2.        Water affected habitations.

3.        Partially covered habitations.

4.        Existing source failed due to filled up or dry tube wells.

5.        Primary schools.

6.        No source nascent habitations.

2. Pipe Water Supply Scheme

As per Govt. norms, the villages having population more than 2000, a pipe water supply can be provided. A proposal for the execution of the scheme and resolution of running and maintenance for completed scheme is to be required by the concerned Grama Panchayat

There are 20 Pipe Water supply schemes running in the districts. Out of which 12 schemes are 15 to 20 years old, being maintained by the Grama Panchayat. 3 schemes are under completion.

3. Indira Goan Ganga Yojana

After the formation of Chhattisgarh state the state faced first draught in year 2000. The Hon. Chief Minister declared a scheme named Indira Gaon Ganga Yojana for increase the demand of drinking water supply. The main activities through this yojana are to provide spot water supply and filling of empty surface water tank for nistar purpose. The scheme is highly beneficial to the public. There is more demand for this scheme. In Korba district, so far 140 Indira Gaon Ganga yojana has been created. Block wise break up is as follows

3. Swajal Dhara Yojana

Hon. Prime Minister of India launched Swajal Dhara Yojana on 25 December 2002. the key element of this scheme is to enable rural people feel the ownership by contributing capital cost at least 10 % and ensure sustainability of drinking water supply system and sources in rural area by operation and maintenance responsibility of the scheme.

26 schemes have been obtained Administrative Approval for Rs. 1.223 carore.

The statitics of PHE Department after the formation of Chhattisgarh state

Prominent works done by the PHE Department

1. Department has provided 65 hand pumps in remotely settled hilly and unapproachable habitations. Earlier they were depended on traditional and unsafe sources like Nala, Dhodi, river, Open well etc.
2. 13 hand pumps have provided for Pahadi Korwa .
3. Preperation of schemes and obtaining administrative approval under Swajal Dhara Programme, Korba district is first in Chhattisgarh state.

Next advancing Schemes in the path of development

1. Survey of villages is on progress under Rajiv Gandhi Payajal Mission. In this survey the provision is made  for NC/PC habitations, Educational Institutions and animals.
2. 26 schemes have been sanctioned under Swajal Dhara. 60 tube wells (Potential Yield) have been created in rural area. The suitable power pumps electric connection is to be provided by concerned Gram Panchayat.
3. Total Sanitation Scheme for Korba District. The survey work is under progress.