Jal Shakti Dept’s pending payments stall power setup for water scheme
The commissioning of the Rs 102-crore Giri potable water scheme, intended to cater to 179 habitations in the Kasauli Assembly segment, has been delayed due to funding challenges. The Jal Shakti Department (JSD) has been unable to release adequate funds to the HP State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) for setting up necessary electricity infrastructure at Gaura in Rajgarh division, Sirmaur district.
Despite being centrally funded under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the project has hit a roadblock. The scheme, which aims to lift water from the Giri river, will provide 7.5 million litres of water daily to benefit a population of 45,458 once completed. Currently, villages around Kasauli suffer acute water shortages, receiving water on alternate days and as infrequently as once a week during peak summers.
In March 2024, the JSD submitted an estimate of Rs 6.94 crore to set up the electrical infrastructure required for the scheme. However, only Rs 2.04 crore has been provided so far, with the last payment made in mid-2024. Darshan Saini, Superintending Engineer of HPSEBL, stated that although key procurement has been completed, major works, including the augmentation of the 33-KV substation at Gaura, are pending until the remaining amount is deposited.
Repeated reminders from HPSEBL to the JSD on June 6 and September 6, 2024, have gone unanswered. Saini confirmed that another reminder will be sent, but delays have made it unlikely for the scheme to be commissioned before summer.
Subhash Chauhan, Executive Engineer of JSD Dharampur division, revealed that a letter of credit for Rs 4 crore has been received and efforts are underway to release the remaining funds to HPSEBL soon. Chauhan expressed optimism about commissioning the scheme before the summer to alleviate the water crisis in Kasauli.
The Giri water scheme, funded with Rs 56 crore from JJM and Rs 46 crore from NABARD, is a triple-stage project critical for the region. The delay has exacerbated water shortages in several villages like Larah, where irrigation demands further strain already scarce water supplies.
