KMC reshuffles working hours of its field workers amid heatwave

Considering the searing summer heat, Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) Mayor Firhad Hakim has decided to reshuffle the working hours of the field workers while advising people against the wastage of water.

Hakim said considering the searing heat KMC is instructing its field workers to finish work before 10 am and resume after 4 pm. “We are issuing a circular in this regard,” he said.

“KMC workers are serving the people throughout the year. The municipal commissioner is compiling a notice to make this decision effective. We are getting reports of heat stroke,” he said.

It was learnt that it has been decided that all workers who have a field job, including those from departments of drainage, building and health, will have to carry water bottles and oral rehydration solutions. They will also have to carry umbrellas and sunglasses during field surveys. It was instructed that if one falls sick during the work they need to be taken to nearby health centres or hospitals for primary treatment. Workers have also been advised to rest under a shade in case they feel fatigued.

The Mayor also said that in summer water consumption has increased three times than what is required in other seasons. He admitted that there’s

a shortfall in water production and explained that KMC is not able to draw water during the ebb tide but only in the flood tide. The water level in the Ganges has depleted due to evaporation and so has the underground water level, he claimed.

Hakim said: “There is a shortfall in water production but we are still trying to ensure that people in all 144 wards get drinking water supply. But wastage has to be stopped, else many will get deprived. Drinking water is being used to wash cars. This should not happen.”

He said it has come to the notice of the civic body that in many cases water is overflowing from taps or even tanks. “This wastage of water needs to be stopped. Citizens need to be aware. If this wastage can be stopped then despite a drop in water production, we will still be able to meet the needs of the citizens,” he said.