After KMC, Howrah Municipal Corporation to launch drive against packaged drinking water

Kolkata: The Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) will start a drive on Monday against packaged drinking water.

The HMC officials will be collecting samples to ensure whether there is presence of coliform bacteria in packaged drinking water.

Bhaskar Bhattacharjee, MMIC (Health) said: "Following Chief Minister Mamata banerjee's direction, we are taking all necessary steps and a drive will begin from Monday onwards."

Officials of the HMC will be visiting different places of its 66 wards to collect samples. It may be mentioned that many small units of packaged drinking water has mushroomed in some parts of Howrah and other urban parts of the state.

So after Kolkata, the HMC is also going to take necessary steps to check whether there is presence of coliform bacteria in any packaged

drinking water.

The HMC officials will be visiting the units where drinking water is packaged. They will be collecting samples from all the units and the same will be send for necessary tests.

"Proper steps will be taken as per the law if anything negative is found in the report," said Bhattacharjee adding that besides packaged drinking water, samples of drinking water that the corporation supplies will also be collected.

The officials will be visiting interiors of all the wards and they will be collecting samples from the end of pipelines meant for tap water to get confirm if there is any presence of bacteria. Besides carrying out the special drive, the civic body has engaged around 2,500 women health workers who work round the year to create awareness among people and help if someone is suffering from any health issue.

They make door-to-door visits everyday and take steps if they find anything like accumulated stagnant water that leads to vector borne diseases. They inform concerned officials if steps are needed to be taken to clear the stagnant water.

A rally was held on February 21 from near the corporation to create awareness among people that maintaining cleanliness of the area is a key instrument to remain healthy and fit. Similar rallies were held in all the wards as well.