The Indian Express              24.01.2014

Sewer, water connections at Deep Complex get MC nod

The general house of the municipal corporation, on Thursday, gave its approval for providing connections for drinking water and sewerage to residents of Deep Complex at Hallomajra. The issue, which has been raging for several months, was passed after much deliberation on various aspects.

The agenda for providing water and sewerage connections in the area was approved in April 2013. Though the UT Administration had given clearance for laying of water pipelines, clearance for sewer lines was awaited. Owing to this, the agenda had been approved conditionally.

The past few months also saw a credit war ensuing between the Congress and BSP. Both parties claimed to have got the approval for the work.

The civic body had recently received a letter from the UT Administration, which was brought up for discussion in the general house meet. According to the letter, the UT Administrator had accorded approval for providing essential services such as drinking water and drainage for used water. It further stated that any alternative more suitable for the purpose shall be adopted by the Administration.

The letter further stated that the capital cost would be recovered by the municipal corporation by way of connection charges, which the MC shall fix.

One-third of the cost of the project would be borne by residents themselves.

Area councillor Jannat Jahan (BSP) said the cost could be recovered from the residents in installments and that once the connections were provided, the money could be collected as part of the bills.

The letter also stated that the services were being provided on a provisional basis and should not be construed as regularisation of the area.

According to Jannat, there was no other alternate in the area as the residents were already maintaining water supply through tankers. Pipelines would have to be laid for regular supply, she said.