World Bank team reviews progress of bulk water supply scheme
A team from the World Bank on Friday reviewed the progress of the Amritsar Bulk Water Supply Scheme (ABWSS) during a visit to various project sites across the city. The project has been launched to ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water to residents.
The Amritsar Municipal Corporation is implementing the project with financial and technical support from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Under the scheme, water will be sourced from the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC), treated at a modern facility in Vallah and supplied to households across the city.
As part of the project, a water treatment plant with a capacity of 440 million litres per day is being constructed near Vallah. In addition, 45 overhead water tanks are being built at different locations, while 112 km of pipeline is being laid to strengthen the distribution network. Officials said that 95 km of the pipeline has already been completed.
The World Bank delegation, comprising Rosana Nitti and Srinivasa Rao Podipireddy, inspected under-construction water tanks at Saufutti Road, Golbagh, Old Sabzi Mandi and near the SSP Office. The team also visited the upcoming water treatment plant site at Vallah to assess construction progress and quality standards.
Later, the delegation held a detailed review meeting with MC Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill and other officials to evaluate timelines and implementation challenges.
During the meeting, the World Bank representatives appreciated the pace and quality of the work and expressed satisfaction with the construction standards being maintained. The MC Commissioner stated that Larsen & Toubro, the executing agency, has been regularly instructed to address labour shortages. He added that the workforce at the project sites has now been increased to expedite execution.
Project manager Kuldeep Singh Saini, SE Project Jitin Vasudeva, Narinder Pal Singh, Ashwani Kumar and other officials were also present.
