MC to demolish 17 overhead water tanks for residents’ safety
Amritsar, August 29
The municipal corporation (MC) would demolish 17 overhead water tanks, lying defunct for long time, for the safety of residents in the city. During meeting yesterday, MC Commissioner Harpreet Singh reviewed the progress of the Amritsar Bulk Water Supply Project here. Officials of the project contractor Larsen and Toubro, civic body and an independent verification agency appointed for the project were present at the meeting.
The MC is implementing the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project in cooperation with the World Bank under which water from the Upper Bari Doab Canal would be treated and supplied to every household in the city. At present, the construction of a water treatment plant with a capacity of 44 crore litre per day at Vallah, construction of 51 new water tanks and laying of a 112 km-long transmission line under the project is underway in the city.
As per information, 51 new tanks are being constructed which include 10 tanks with a capacity of 10 lakh litre, nine tanks with a capacity of 15 lakh litre and 30 tanks with a capacity of 20 lakh litre. Twenty-four old tanks are being renovated as part of the project.
In all, 17 existing old tanks would be demolished while ensuring the safety of nearby residents. The project would provide a continuous supply of clean water to the city which is currently supplied intermittently for 10 to 12 hours. The project aims to enhance water quality and prevent the depletion of groundwater table.
The city’s water supply system would be monitored online from a control room using the modern SCADA system allowing for timely detection and rectification of faults.
During the review meeting, the MC Commissioner instructed the contractor to expedite work and increase the workforce so that the canal water supply could commence by March 2025. He also directed civic body officials to accelerate work and coordinate with other departments to obtain necessary NOCs promptly.
Project Manager Kuldeep Singh Saini said 70-km pipeline had been laid so far and the remaining work would be completed soon. He said, “Construction of water tanks is going on at 28 locations with soil testing being conducted at eight additional sites where work would commence shortly. The process of obtaining the NOCs from other departments for the remaining sites is in the final stage. The renovation of 15 old tanks has been completed.”
Saini said the pace of work had slowed due to the rainy season, but would pick up by the next month. Deputy Project Manager Narendrapal Singh, Executive Engineer Jeetin Vasudeva, L&T project director Sanjay Singh, Shiv Kumar Soni, Ashwani Kumar, Krishna Lokesh, SDO Ranjit Singh, Dr Monika and Smriti Sharma were also present at the meeting.
