The sewerage line in the Walled City area is over 40 years old and is in urgent need of repair or replacement.

According to officials, the detail project report (DPR) to upgrade the
sewerage lines in 12 cities, including Jaipur, has been sent to the Central government.
A senior official said, “The estimated population in the Walled City
area is approximately 6 lakh, and the plan has been drawn accordingly.
Pipelines of 200 mm width will be laid to curb the problem of
overflowing. The project will cost nearly Rs 413 crore and we are
expecting to receive half the amount under the scheme.”

During
monsoon, leakage in sewer lines in the Walled City area has led to
contamination of the drinking water supply in the past few years.

Despite several complaints by councillors and residents, the municipal
body expressed its helplessness to replace the old pipes due to shortage
of funds.

Councillor of ward number 56 Kailash Naveriya said,
“Every monsoon, the overflowing sewer lines pollute the drinking water.
Even after repairing the lines, the problem has remained. Several
residents fall sick every year. People have stopped consuming water that
is supplied through the pipeline.”

He added, “So far, the
state government and the JMC have not figured out any permanent
solution, thereby, putting the lives of several people at risk.”

A senior JMC official said, “The project is pending for over four years
now. During this time, the project cost has also gone up by at least Rs
100 crore. Earlier, it was estimated Rs 300 crore and a proposal was
also sent to the state government for financial assistance. The state
government later sent it to the Centre seeking funds under the JNNURM.
But, the state has not received the funds yet.”

He added, “We
take immediate action on the complaints and wherever the water is
polluted due to leakage of sewer line, we cut the supply and change the
water pipeline. However, there is no permanent solution.”

Explaining the contamination process, experts said the old sewer
pipelines are laid down along with water pipelines. An overflow in the
sewer lines and breakage in the drinking water pipelines causes
contamination.