Project for doubling Chandigarh's water storage capacity hits roadblock

Chandigarh, August 10

A long-pending project for doubling city’s water storage capacity has further been delayed as the Municipal Corporation (MC) did not get desired response to its tender floated last month. So, the MC has now refloated tender for the project. Delaying of the project means residents will have to bear frequent water supply cuts for some more time.

According to MC officials, only two companies had filed bids for the work. However, only one of them qualified for the job. Thus, the corporation had to cancel the process and float tender again. The cost of the project is Rs37 crore. With this project, the water storage capacity will be upgraded from the present 45 to 90 million gallons per day (MGD) at the Sector 39 waterworks reservoir, which receives supply from the Kajauli waterworks.

The waterworks at present has only half-day underground water storage capacity. Its capacity is inadequate. The water stored in the morning is supplied in the evening while evening storage is for the morning. Due to half-day water storage capacity, the city has been witnessing frequent “low or no water supply”.

In the event of any leakage or repair work of the pipeline from Kajauli to Chandigarh, UT sees severe water crisis as the Sector 39 reservoir runs out of water. Normally, there is a demand of 90 to 95 MGD water per day. In summer, it rises to 120 to 125 MGD. Chandigarh has a water availability of 120 MGD.

The project has been hanging fire for a long time. Last year, the MC took up the matter with the UT Administration for providing funds for the project, but the latter did not budge. Later, the MC decided to do the job with its own funds and the House gave its approval in February this year. — TNS