DC holds meet to review bulk water supply project

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney conducted a review meeting to assess the progress of the Amritsar Bulk Water Supply Project here on Monday. Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) Chairman Ashok Talwar, MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh and other civic body officials and representatives of other departments were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh provided an update on the project, which aims to ensure a continuous supply of clean water to residents. The initiative includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art water treatment plant with a capacity of 440 million litres per day, the construction of 51 new water tanks, and the installation of a 112-km-long pipeline. However, a delay in issuing NOCs by various departments and public opposition to the construction of tanks at five locations have hindered its progress.

Taking a serious note of the delay, DC Sakshi Sawhney emphasized the project’s significance, especially given the rapid decline in groundwater levels. She stressed the urgent need to shift the city’s water dependence from groundwater to surface water. She issued strict instructions to the departments concerned and the MC to expedite the issuance of NOCs to facilitate the construction of the water tanks.

Furthermore, she urged the residents to support the project, recognizing its long-term benefits to the public. The review meeting was attended by Superintending Engineer (Civil) Sandeep Singh, project manager Kuldeep Singh Saini, Narinderpal Singh, Jitin Vasudeva, Ashwani Kumar and other officials.