Lack of funds delays work on Giri potable water scheme

The completion of the ambitious Rs 102-crore Giri potable water scheme has been delayed due to the inability of the Jal Shakti Department, which is responsible for the execution of the project, to pay Rs 1.08 crore to the Public Works Department (PWD) for road excavation that took place last year.

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Though most of the pipes have been laid, the work is stalled on the remaining 1,500 metres of the Kimmughat-Kasauli road. The PWD has sought Rs 1.08 crore to cover the damage caused during road excavation, which is necessary for laying 12-inch water pipes. The PWD has demanded this amount before granting permission to dig the remaining stretch of the road. Despite the PWD raising the issue several times over the past year with senior officials, the Jal Shakti Department has failed to provide the required funds.

The scheme was supposed to be commissioned by June 2023, but was running behind schedule. The delay would mean more difficulties for the residents, who had to spend money on water tankers last summer when local sources dried up.

Subhash Chauhan, Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Department, Dharampur, said that the matter had been taken up with senior officials to expedite the grant of funds. However, due to restrictions on the state treasury funds, the department had been unable to make the payment to the PWD. He added that efforts were underway to secure Rs 90 lakh from an Asian Development Bank water supply scheme to address the issue.

The Rs 102-crore scheme is being funded by the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with Rs 56 crore from the JJM and Rs 46 crore from NABARD. It is surprising that despite the availability of dedicated central funds the work on the project has been hindered.

This triple-stage project will source water from the Giri river in Sirmaur district. It is expected to benefit 179 habitations in the Kasauli Assembly constituency and a population of 45,458, with a daily supply of 7.5 million litres of water. The water will be lifted from the Giri river in Gaura, followed by Bighard and Dagshai, before being pumped to Kasauli through gravity. Water tanks have been constructed and the laying of pipes is in an advanced stage.