Water supply in freezing winters in Keylong soon

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 18

To provide round the clock potable water supply to Keylong in tribal Lahaul Spiti district, Jal Shakti Department is planning to set up an anti-freezing water supply system at a cost of Rs 13.69 crore.

The government has approved a sum of Rs 2.6 crore to start the work. Under this scheme, Jal Shakti Department at Keylong will lay down water pipes at least 1.5 m deep into the ground. This will prevent water pipes from freezing as it usually occurs in Lahaul-Spiti during winter.

On the basis of a study in European countries, where temperature dips below freezing point but water supply remains uninterrupted, Lahaul & Spiti DC Pankaj Rai had asked the Jal Shakti Department at Keylong to prepare a detailed report.

“The state government has approved Rs 2.6 crore for this project. The authority concerned has been directed to start the work. On a trial basis, a 200-m water pipeline was laid underground to provide regular water supply to district hospital Keylong in the month of January and the trial was successful,” Rai said.

“After opening of Atal tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway, the Lahaul-Spiti district has become an epicentre of tourist activity. As a result, there is a need to develop basic infrastructure in the district. During the winter season without regular water supply, it will be difficult to operate tourist units in the district,” the DC stated.

“So we have decided to work on this project effectively to provide round the year water supply to the residents. The water scheme will be connected to Billing water source,” said the DC.