RAJKOT: With the threat of Rajkot's local water sources going dry looming large, Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has drawn up Rs 60 crore action plan to meet future demand of drinking water for the city.

RMC commissioner Ajay Bhadoo said, "We have charted out a plan for the future requirement of drinking water in the wake of rain deficiency. We have demanded financial assistance from the state government as well as the central government to implement various measures."

He said RMC plans to enhance the capacity of existing lakes like Randarda and Lalpari along with the other water bodies. "We are going to install more hand pumps in the city to augment drinking water supplies in various areas. In addition to this, we will dig up bore wells along Aji dam, Randarda and Lalpari lakes. All the measures are being taken to develop additional water sources in the coming weeks.''

RMC officials pointed that city is in for tough times in the days to come as all local drinking water sources like Aji and Bhadar dams would dry up within the next few weeks. The city will mainly be depending on the supply of Narmada water.

"We are also planning to lay 13 km pipeline to bring water from Narmada pipeline passing through Metoda on the outskirts of the city. Our focus is on strengthening the water supply network and its monitoring,'' Bhadoo said.

RMC is aiming at digging 50 bore wells to get an additional water supply along with the Narmada water. RMC sources said the supply of Narmada water has been erratic in Rajkot and the civic body has to look for additional sources to maintain the supply on alternate days in the city.