Chandigarh: Hope floats again for tertiary water project

Sandeep Rana

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Chandigarh, February 7

After previous two failed attempts to allocate work related to the Rs 90 crore tertiary-treated water supply project to cover the remaining sectors of the city, hope has once again floated with three agencies showing interest in the project.

According to the Municipal Corporation, three agencies, Tirupati Cement Products, Jainco Buildcon Private Limited and Groma Infrastructure Limited, have filed bids for the project. These firms are being evaluated, following which, the lowest bidding company will be awarded the work.

After the allocation of the work, the company will be given two-year time to complete the job. This is the third attempt of the civic body on awarding the project work through tender.

Why earlier tenders had to be cancelled

In the first tender, only one bid was made, leading to the cancellation of the tendering process. In the second attempt, the corporation had successfully selected the lowest bidding firm, but the second lowest bidder moved court citing some discrepancies. Legal opinion was sought and this tender, too, had to be cancelled. — An official

“In the first tender, only one bid was made, leading to the cancellation of the tendering process. In the second attempt, the corporation had successfully selected the lowest bidding firm, but the second lowest bidder moved court citing some discrepancies. Legal opinion was sought and this tender, too, had to be cancelled,” said an official concerned while talking to Chandigarh Tribune.

The project envisages supplying tertiary water to the left-out areas of the city by laying new lines and building reservoirs, pump units, etc. Sectors 47 to 63, the villages recently transferred to the MC and the left-out pockets in sectors would be covered under this project. The work will start from Industrial Area.

The tertiary water can be used for irrigating lawns, washing cars and fulfilling industrial needs. It will not only help save on drinking water but also cost less.

All 1,800 parks of the city will be irrigated under the treated-water project. At present, 680 parks and green belts are being irrigated with this water. The remaining 1,120 parks will also be covered under the project. Besides, around 5,000 treated water connections have been provided to households with an area of 1 kanal and above, institutions, schools, etc.

The project also involves the modernisation of the entire tertiary-treated water supply system. Nearly Rs 90 crore was approved for the project under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme in 2022. The utilisation of treated water will be increased from the present 10 mgd (million gallons per day) to 20 mgd.

All city parks to get treated water

All 1,800 parks of the city will be irrigated under the treated-water project. At present, 680 parks and green belts are being irrigated with this water. The remaining 1,120 parks will also be covered under the project.

5,000 connections

Besides, around 5,000 treated water connections have been provided to households with an area of 1 kanal and above, institutions, schools, etc.