Tamil Nadu - Dindigul   

Model village planned

DINDIGUL: Gandhigram Trust has plans to create a model village providing all kinds of sustainable development of water and sanitation facilities, according to K. Shiva Kumar, trust Treasurer.

Talking to press persons here on Wednesday, he said that this model village project on sustainable water management would be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs.29.39 lakh. The ARGHYAM, a Bangalore-based public charitable foundation, would offer technical assistance and financial support.

Initially, the trust had chosen five villages in Gandhigram Thoppampatti, Ambathurai, Kamalapuram and Pachamalayankottai panchayats for making model villages. It would improve hygienic practices at these villages through access to water and sanitary facilities and safe disposal of waste water and solid wastes. Ultimately, this exercise would have good impact. Initially, level of water usage and costs involved in providing water supply and associated issues would be analysed through a survey and action plan drafted to execute the programme without any flaw, the treasurer said.

With the existing drinking water source has been posing a serious problem in selected villages owing to depletion of ground water, the new project would join hands with the District Rural Development Agency, TWAD Board and panchayat administration in Athoor and Nilakottai blocks and utilise their services to create new sources and rehabilitating existing sources including bore wells.

Besides, awareness would also be created among panchayat level pump operators and the community on practice of testing quality of water at regular intervals to ensure protected drinking water supply. Assessing water consumption, an important criteria, would also be done using various stakeholders involving panchayats. The process documentation would also be recorded.

Recovery of operation and maintenance costs would be put in place through introduction of tariff system for covering expenses for water supply, Mr. Kumar added.

Lack of toilet facilities in schools at chosen villages had been studied.

A three-pronged strategy would be adopted engaging Parent Teachers Association, the panchayat and school children in this connection. Sanitation education would be imparted to school children as part of awareness campaign.

“We have plans for safe disposal of waste water and solid waste management.” This project would be implemented in three years, he said.

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