The chief minister Mamata Banerjee today declared that from now on, 12 July would be observed as ‘Save Water Day’ across the state.

‘Save Water Day’ is a project initiated by the state government to conserve water. Currently, Chennai is reeling under a severe water crisis, with citizens reported to be paying Rs 400 to Rs 500 for a litre of water.

Taking a cue from that, to create awareness among the people of the state, the chief minister launched a ‘Save Water Save Life’ campaign.

A walk for the cause was organised by various departments of the state government from Jorasanko Thakurbari to Gandhiji’s statue on Mayo Road. The chief minister along with other ministers, the Kolkata mayor, councillors, senior civil and police officers and people from different walks of life participated in the walk. Students from various schools also participated in the walk.

The chief minister said, “When we were drafting the Manifesto for 2011 Assembly elections, we decided to launch the ‘Jal Dharo Jal Bharo’ project and dig 50,000 ponds. We have excavated three lakh ponds in the last eight years.”

Highlighting the initiatives of the Trinamul government, the chief minister said, “Our government had first started the programme of saving the soil, ‘maati bachao’ and ‘mati tirtha’. Our programme of ‘mati tirtha’ and celebration of ‘Mati Divas’ began in the year 2013, while the United Nations started the programme of saving the soil two years later, in 2015.Many people make tall promises but cannot fulfill them. We must always keep our word. That is our biggest hallmark.”

Miss Banerjee said that new ponds and check dams that was erected by her government under ‘Jal Dharo Jal Bharo’ project has helped to check floods in a three-km zone in Amta and Udanarayanpur areas. “We have set up check dams for water conservation. Every year we face floods due to water released by DVC. We have also undertaken work for cleaning the irrigation canals and water storage capacity has increased in these canals,” she said. “We have several regions (like Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia) which receive scant rainfall. By harvesting rain water, we have mitigated the loss by excavating new ponds and dredging the canals,” the chief minister said. “Often, we waste drinking water, which we must avoid. There are many people who do not have access to even a drop of water. We must use water judiciously, as per our need. We must switch off fans and lights. Save water, save life. Save power, save the environment,” she said. Some eminent personalities who were present at the meeting lauded the step taken by the chief minister.