The Indian Express 23.04.2013
MC to install water meters, but this time private players to run the show
To avoid wastage of water in the city, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is back with a formula which had failed to produce the desirable results 15 years ago. However, this time, private agencies will be hired through tendering process to handle the whole functioning of water meters in the city right from reading the meters to generating bills and collecting payments.
As per a proposal of the MC budget 2013-14, under Operations and Maintenance Cell, the project to install water meters in the city will be finalised in the coming two to three months. The total project, which also includes 24x7 water supply, installation of new water pipes, upgrading sewerage system and canal water usage, is worth Rs 1,500 crore out of which Rs 200 crore will be spent on water meters and other minor works.
The water meters will be available in markets for Rs 700 to Rs 1,000, and people will buy them and get them installed in their homes and other places.
The new system will be different from the one in place 15 years ago. "Then bills were recovered from some and some were spared due to a biased approach. The whole system was doomed," said an MC official on condition of anonymity.
This time around, the project has been sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore under the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) as per which while 50% of total funds will be provided by the Central government, 30% and 20% funds will be given by the Municipal Corporation and the state government respectively.
"MC will finalise names of three to four companies which will provide water meters in the city and residents can purchase devices from them. As per initial discussions, the rate of water will be Rs 5 to 6 per kilo-litre and tenders will soon be floated for hiring private agencies but before that, consultants will be appointed by MC to help in the tender process," said Kamlesh Bansal, zonal commissioner, zone A.
Since the project is being decided at the level of secretary (local bodies), Punjab, it is expected to take two to three months to finalise all details not only for Ludhiana but for the whole of Punjab. The MC is also mulling over opening various repair centres in the city where water meters can be repaired or replaced by residents if any snag develops. Once such repair centre was opened by the MC in Industrial Area-B 15 years back.
"Our only aim is to reduce water wastage in city and increase recovery of water bills through these water meters. Naturally, private agencies are not going to spare anyone and will recover maximum bills," added Bansal.
As per sources, the meters are easily prone to tampering due to which they failed 15 years back. "Maybe now improved versions of meters after 15 years can help but we are doubtful," said the source from MC.
