Kasauli: Delayed Giri water scheme hits testing stage, land dispute stalls commissioning

After a delay of nearly two-and-a-half years, the ambitious Giri potable water supply scheme, meant to cater to villages in the Kasauli area, has finally reached a crucial testing stage. The project was originally scheduled for commissioning in June 2023.

Except for a 100-metre stretch at Sihardi village in Dharampur, pipe-laying work has been completed. Other key infrastructure, including water storage tanks and power arrangements through a newly set up 33-KV substation at Gaura, is at an advanced stage.

However, despite optimism expressed by the Jal Shakti Department, which is executing the project, a long-pending dispute between private landowners and the department continues to impede commissioning. Landowners have refused permission for pipes to pass through their land.

Residents argue that the pipes have been laid inappropriately and fear that any leakage could cause serious damage to their houses due to the thickness of the pipes. They contend that instead of laying the pipeline along the narrow road, it should have been aligned across the valley.

The issue was also raised during a district grievances redressal meeting, where directions were issued to the Public Works Department to acquire land for laying the pipes. However, little progress was made as the state government has mandated that land for such projects must be gifted voluntarily, ruling out formal acquisition. This policy has effectively stalled resolution of the dispute.

Subhash Chauhan, Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, said efforts were being made to initiate water testing from March 5, as the electricity department had been directed to ensure power supply. Expressing hope for a breakthrough, he said the department would approach the DC to help resolve the issue and urged residents to allow the pipeline to pass through private land.

With officials failing to arrive at an amicable solution so far, the commissioning of the scheme has been delayed further, with prospects of an early resolution appearing bleak.

The Rs 102-crore project is funded under the Jal Jeevan Mission and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Of the total cost, Rs 56 crore has been provided by the Jal Jeevan Mission and Rs 46 crore by NABARD.

The three-stage scheme involves lifting water from the Giri river in Sirmaur district. Once commissioned, it is expected to benefit 179 habitations of the Kasauli Assembly segment, covering a population of 45,458, with a daily supply of 7.5 million litres of potable water. Villages in the Kasauli area face acute water shortages every summer, with supply disruptions lasting anywhere between six and eight days, underscoring the urgency of the project.