Himachal set to seek funds for water, sewerage project

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 19

The Department of Economic Affairs has given Jal Shakti Vibhag a go-ahead to seek funding from a French bank, AFD, for its sewerage and water supply project in five towns of the state. Following the approval, the Jal Shakti Vibhag will start negotiation with the bank in a couple of months.

According to sources, the project will cost around Rs 790 crore.

“The project has been pending for a couple of years. The Department of Economic Affairs finally gave its nod to the project a few days back,” said an official.

The official further said that five towns — Manali, Karsog, Bilaspur, Nahan and Palampur — had been selected for the project. “Apart from setting up a sewerage, the existing water supply system will be improved under this project. The per capita water supply of 70 litre per day will be enhanced to 135 litre per day,” he said. “In Manali, the six adjoining panchayats will be brought under the ambit of the project,” he said.

Meanwhile, the World Bank-funded $160-million Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Project, is also on the brink of getting the final approval from the World Bank.

The World Bank had already given an in-principle approval for the project.

An official of Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) said the final negotiation with the World Bank would be held tomorrow and the deal, in all probability, would be finalised tomorrow itself.

“For the final approval, a forest clearance and Cabinet approval were required. With both approvals in hand, the final approval from the World Bank shall come tomorrow,” he said.

The project aims at providing a round-the-clock high pressure water supply to Shimla residents, a bulk water scheme from the Sutlej that will provide an additional 67 MLD and improving and enhancing the sewerage in and around Shimla. The project is expected to take care of the city’s water and sewerage requirement until 2050.

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