Giri Water Supply Scheme: Shimla to combat water shortage with new tank

To address water shortage caused by rising silt levels in the Giri water supply scheme, Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) has initiated the construction of an additional water tank with a capacity of 6 million litres per day (MLD). This tank will filter water and remove silt before it is distributed for public use. The Giri scheme currently supplies around 19 MLD of water daily to Shimla.

Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan explained that water from the Giri scheme would be filtered three to four times in the new tank. This process will ensure cleaner water is supplied to the main tank, from where it will be distributed to the town’s residents. The tank aims to mitigate water shortages, especially during periods of increased silt levels, which commonly occur during the monsoon season.

To further enhance water storage, the corporation has also constructed two new tanks in Dhalli and near Hotel Peterhoff, and revived a British-era water tank in Seog. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to maintain water availability in both summer and monsoon seasons.

The Mayor emphasised that measures are being taken to ensure an uninterrupted water supply. Spring water, instead of drinking water, will be used in public toilets to conserve potable water.

Every monsoon, water supply in Shimla is disrupted due to high silt levels in the water sources, causing severe inconvenience to residents. Many households are forced to rely on spring water, hand pumps, and water tankers to meet their daily needs. Shimla requires around 45 MLD of water daily, but during the monsoon and summer seasons, supply often drops to around 30 MLD due to heavy rains and drying water sources. The new tank is expected to alleviate this shortage.