Gujarat government introduces helpline for water-starved areas

Amid delayed monsoon and reports of increasing shortage of water in several parts of Gujarat, the state Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) today launched a toll-free helpline for people living in five districts.

These districts are Kutch, Amreli, Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Devbhoomi-Dwarka. Residents of these districts can now dial 1800-200-1400 and register their complaints regarding water supply.

The announcement was made by Water Supply and Water Resources Minister Babu Bokhiria after holding a meeting with top officials of GWSSB, inclduing Principal Secretary of Water Supply Department Rajiv Kumar Gupta.

"In the first phase, we have covered five districts. In subsequent phases, this helpline will be made available across the state," Bokhiria said in an official press release.

"Our system will also send the registration number of complaint on complainant's mobile number via SMS. The complaint would be then automatically forwarded to our local official in that area for further action. As soon as a solution is found, the complainant will be informed," Gupta said.

"As per our short-term prediction, there will be little or no rain in Gujarat till June 30. We will review situation after that," MET Director Jayanta Sarkar said.