Delay in issuance of NOCs hits 24x7 water supply project in Amritsar: Officials

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 3

Deputy Commissioner-cum-Municipal Corporation Commissioner Harpreet Singh Sudan and MC Joint Commissioner Hardeep Singh conducted a review meeting on surface-based 24x7 water supply project with the officials of private firm, working on the canal water project here yesterday.

Project started two years ago

• Former CM Capt Amarinder Singh had inaugurated the first phase of the surface water project worth Rs 722 crore on February 22, 2020
• The entire project will cost around Rs 2,200 crore and will help in providing clean water
• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the lending arm of the World Bank Group, will finance 70 per cent of the cost and the rest will be borne by the Punjab Government

The officials said under the project, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required from the National Highway Authority, Forest Department, PWD Department and other departments for constructing water tanks and laying water supply pipe. The project is being delayed due to slow processing of various departments to issue NOCs.

On this, DC Sudan assured to speed up the process of issuing NOCs. The government had initiated the surface-based 24x7 water supply project two years ago. The construction of the water treatment plant is going on at Vallah under this project.

The authorities concerned claim that there was no scarcity of funds, but the works proposed to complete in the first phase started with delay due to formalities and NOCs. As per the proposal, the construction of the water treatment plant and distribution lines will be installed in the first phase. These distribution lines will be connected with the existing overhead water tanks and tubewell points. Then, the further door-to-door connectivity lines will be installed in the second phase.

Former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had inaugurated the first phase of the surface water project worth Rs 722 crore on February 22, 2020. The entire project will cost around Rs 2,200 crore and will help in providing clean water.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the lending arm of the World Bank Group, will finance 70 per cent of the cost and the rest will be borne by the Punjab Government.

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