Project for delivery of treated water to 11 villages likely to miss deadline

Parveen Arora

Karnal, February 17

The project to deliver treated water from the city’s 50 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) to nearly 6,384 acres of agricultural land in 11 villages is facing hurdles due to the standing crop in fields and is likely to miss its deadline of March. The plant will supply 37.5 million litres of treated water per day to these villages, which will be used for micro-irrigation in the fields.

Budget raised to Rs 68 crore

• Scope of work under the project has changed and the original budget of Rs 56.18 crore has been raised to Rs 68 crore
• Now, a higher pressure rating of 4 kg per sq cm is being implemented instead of 2.5 kg per sq cm, said an official
• Authorities are under pressure to address the challenges and ensure timely delivery of treated water to fields
• Work on the project had been started on March 11, 2022 and the deadline was fixed for March 31, 2024. The authorities have now sought an extension of the deadline to June 2025

Progress reports indicate that out of the 11 pump stations, eight have been constructed, while work on the remaining three is on. Of the 250 km pipeline, the department has laid 58 km so far. However, the standing crop is obstructing access to fields and the authorities are facing challenges in laying pipeline to supply the treated water.

Moreover, the scope of the work has changed, with the original budget of Rs 56.18 crore being raised to Rs 68 crore. Due to these changes, a higher pressure rating of 4 kg per sq cm is being implemented instead of the initial plan of 2.5 kg per sq cm, said an official.

The authorities are now under pressure to address the challenges and ensure the timely delivery of treated water to fields. Work on the project had been started on March 11, 2022 and the deadline was fixed for March 31, 2024. The authorities have sought an extension of the deadline to June 2025.

“Due to the standing crop in the fields, the pipelines cannot be laid. We have sought an extension of the deadline. We are hopeful that the project will be extended,” said Navtej Singh, XEN, Indri Water Services Division of the Irrigation and Water Resources Department.

Farmers of Kalro, Kairwali, Ranwar, Unchasamana, Pipalwali, Kutail, Faizalpur Majra, Sheikhpura, Dadupur, Ganjogarhi and Chora will get treated water for micro-irrigation under the project, the XEN added.

Residents and farmers are anxiously awaiting the completion of the initiative, anticipating a positive impact on agriculture. They have demanded that the authorities complete the project at the earliest.