Shimla to get water from three sources again

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 18

The Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) today resumed lifting of water from three sources—- Koti-Barandi, Been and Jagroti and Churat Nullah, after the National Institute of Virology, Pune, found water samples hepatitis-free.

This would add about 4 MLD water to the present capacity of 28 MLD, enabling the civic body to supply it on alternate days in the capital city.

Residents of Cymmetry, Dhalli, parts of Sanjauli and its north-facing localities, Housing Board, Chhakkar, Kusumpati alleged that they were not getting enough water supply after the January 7-8 snowfall.

According to the Shimla water and sewerage circle of the SMC, the lifting of water from the three sources was suspended following the January 7-8 snowfall as these were flooded with muddy water.

The main water supply schemes— Guma and Giri— have resumed lifting of water last week after water samples were found to be negative for e-coli, MC engineers said.

“We have received reports from the National Institute of Virology and all water samples, collected from Koti-Barandi, Been and Jagroti and Churat Nullah, tested negative for hepatitis A and E. So, we have resumed lifting of water from the three sources,” said Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Rai.

Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan said the areas, which were facing a water crisis due to the power outage and non-lifting of water from the three sources, would get supply from tomorrow. “We hope to supply water to each locality on alternate days,” the Mayor said.

Chauhan said the SMC would not lift water from the banned Ashwani Khud. “We will provide quality water supply to the residents without compromising on their health,” he said.