Work on canal-based drinking water supply starts at Ablowal

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 17

After prolonged delay, the work on canal-based water supply project started at Ablowal village today. The project worth Rs503 crore will provide round-the-clock drinking water supply to the whole city of Patiala and is expected to be completed in 36 months.

The tendering process for the first phase of the project to draw water from the Bhakra canal was completed in October last year. Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha member Preneet Kaur inaugurated the project today.

Under the project a 115 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant will be established at Ablowal village along with a clear water reservoir of 17.28 ML, besides storage and sedimentation tank of 236 ML.

A 312 km long new pipeline will also be installed in the city, besides 12 above ground and 16 underground tanks.

At present, 134 underground borewells running in the city are depleting underground water. It is expected that the project will prevent depletion of underground water.

Preneet said, “The entire project has been designed keeping in view water needs of city residents for the next 30 years.”

The project was announced for the first time by then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in 2006. The present government again announced the project after coming to power in 2017.

In November 2018, the district administration set up a team to look into the project implementation. Tenders first floated in October 2019 were cancelled twice. The work-order was given in October, 2020.