MC proposes hike in treated water rate
A day after Mayor Kuldeep Kumar withdrew the proposal to increase the municipal cess on electricity, the MC has now proposed to increase the rates of tertiary treated (TT) water in the city. The agenda will be tabled in the MC General House meeting to be held tomorrow for discussion and approval.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria will attend the meeting.
According to the Chandigarh Water Supply Bylaws, the use of tertiary treated water is compulsory in all houses/institutions having area of one kanal and above. The bylaws make connections of tertiary treated water compulsory within three months from the date of issue of notification, but the MC found that only 2,906 of the total 7,385 one-kanal houses in the city have such connection. Of the total 414 institutions, only 150 have these connections.
The MC has proposed to charge 7.5% of total water bill from the one kanal house owners, who have not taken the TT water connection in spite of its availability.
In a bid to tide over the financial crunch in the civic body, the MC has proposed to sell the TT water at Rs 7 per kilo litre, on the pattern of the Delhi Jal Board. At present, the civic body charges Rs 2.50 per kilo litre.
The MC has also proposed to make TT water available for other purposes, such as construction, chilling plants, AC cooling units etc.
Under tertiary treatment, sewerage water is made suitable for irrigation through chemical treatment and sedimentation process. It is the final stage of the wastewater cleaning process to make it suitable for irrigation and related activities. The treated water biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) should be less than 10 mg. Use of tertiary water for agriculture and related activities is out of the main objectives of the City Water Action Plan (CWAP) as it will reduce dependence on ground and potable water.
An official said the increase in treated water rate had been proposed as occupants of one kanal house could easily afford it.
Further, the MC has also proposed to increase the monthly rent of all 176 Verka/Vita booths in the city.
According to the agenda item, to be taken up during the House meeting tomorrow, in October 2023, the MC House had decided to give extension to 176 Verka/Vita booths up to March 31, 2024, at monthly rent of Rs 6,520. Now, the MC proposes to extend the booth allocation for five years, till March 31, 2029, but with revised rent of Rs 10,000 per month, with an annual increase of 7%.
Verka/Vita booth rent to be increased
The MC has also proposed to increase the monthly rent of all 176 Verka/Vita booths in the city. The MC House had decided to give allocation extension to 176 Verka/Vita booths up to March 31, 2024, at a monthly rent of Rs 6,520. Now, it proposes to extend the allocation for five years till March 31, 2029, but with revised rent of Rs 10,000 per month, with an annual increase of 7%.
