Wednesday, December 29 2004 14:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Government has directed the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to take steps on a war footing to restore potable water sources and desalinate cultivable land in Tsunami-affected areas.

Union Water Resources Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters in New Delhi today (Dec 29, 2004) that the CWC and CGWB have been asked to take care of water sources "damaged and salinated" by the December 26 earthquake-triggered tidal waves, in cooperation with Public Health Engineering Departments of the State Government.

They have also been instructed to provide technical expertise to State Government to provide for alternative sources of potable water in the coastal areas, he said.

"Efforts are also on to treat cultivable land alongside the coastal areas substantially salinated by the tidal waves," he said adding that the Ministry would provide additional expenditure, if necessary, on the basis of the estimates.

The Minister said that the designated Chief Engineers in each of the affected states have been asked to assess the situation and submit a preliminary report by January 2, 2005.

Besides, employees of the Ministry have "readily responded to the crisis" and contributed a day's salary while its public sector undertaking WAPCOS has contributed Rs 20 lakhs totalling over Rupees one crore towards the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, he said.

Dasmunsi said that he was also likely to visit the affected areas to personally supervise the work.