*MC Chandigarh empowering AMRUT Mitras*
*Enhancing its water quality monitoring capabilities*
*Chandigarh, March 15:-* Aiming to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and foster a gender-responsive approach to water resource management under AMRUT 2.0, the Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with DAY-NULM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission), focuses on goals and fostering a gender-responsive approach to water resource management.
As part of the AMRUT Mitra initiative, the Municipal Corporation has proposed six projects, which include the cleaning and maintenance of four Amrut Sarovars (Dadumajra, Kaimbala, Khuda Alisher, Sarangpur) and the implementation of two on-site water quality testing programs using a Water Mobile Testing van.
The works order for these projects was officially handed over to the SHGs, marking a significant milestone in empowering women and engaging them in water management activities. To ensure their effective participation, training sessions were conducted from March 11th to March 15th, 2024, at Amrut Sarovars: Dadumajra, Kaimbala, KhudaAlisher, and Sarangpur, under the expert guidance of trainers.
While sharing about the AMRUT Mitra initiative, Municipal Commissioner Ms. Anindita Mitra said that by actively involving women SHGs in water management, the MCC not only promoting gender equality but also harnessing their skills and potential to improve water quality and sustainability.
She said that nearly 16 SHG individuals, consisting of 6 teams for each project, have been actively involved in the AMRUT Mitra initiative. Four SHGs, namely Laxmi SHG, Trisha SHG, Pond and Lake SHG, and Sehyog SHG, have been selected to participate in this groundbreaking endeavor.
The Commissioner further said that in addition, the implementation of mobile water testing vans will ensure that the water supplied to residents meets quality parameters. The labs will conduct on-site testing to identify any initial indications of poor water quality, enabling immediate remedial action to be taken.
She said that the two mobile labs will perform on-site testing for parameters such as pH, residual chlorine, TDS, conductivity, odor, and turbidity. Operating daily, the vehicles will collect mandatory samples from waterworks across various parts of the city, especially rehabilitation colonies and peripheral areas. These labs will be manned by women self-help groups, thereby empowering the community.
She further said that the AMRUT Mitra initiative recognizes the critical role that women can play in water management and aims to provide them with the necessary training, resources, and opportunities to actively contribute to sustainable water practices. By empowering women SHGs and involving them in decision-making processes related to water management, the initiative seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable society, she added.
