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Water Supply

Government will release the fund: Mayor

Thursday, 23 August 2012 00:00 administrator
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The Times of India    24.08.2012

Government will release the fund: Mayor

HUBLI: Chief minister Jagadish Shettar has promised Rs 100 crore for extension of 24X7 water scheme to other wards in Hubli-Dharwad twin cities, said Hubli-Dharwad Mayor Pandurang Patil.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Patil said that the government will release the fund of Rs 100 crore within 15-20 days. With this we will extend 24X7 water schemes to 10-15 thickly populated wards of the twin cities, he said.

He said a group of elected representatives of Hubli-Dharwad went to Bangalore to meet CM and submitted a fund proposal of Rs 695 crore for the development of the twin cities. Patil said the CM has responded in a positive manner and the development funds may come in instalments.

Explaining the break-up of the funds sought, the mayor said, "We sought Rs 160 crore for ward development, Rs 25 crore for an ecological park, Rs 100 crore for the repair and construction work of drains, Rs 100 crore for development of 400 gardens in the twin cities, Rs 140 crore for flyovers - all amounting to Rs 695 crore."

Among other projects for the development of twin cities, he said he also sought financial support to organize the golden jubilee celebration of HDMC, mono rail, four-lane road between Hubli and Dharwad, BRTS between Hubli and Dharwad, Ring Road sports ground and solid waste management unit.
Last Updated on Friday, 24 August 2012 09:31
 

20% water cut will stay: PMC

Wednesday, 22 August 2012 11:37 administrator
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The Indian Express     22.08.2012

20% water cut will stay: PMC

Water level in dams went up this month but Pune Municipal Corporation on Tuesday clarified that it was practically impossible to withdraw the 20 per cent water cut in the city as monsoon had arrived late and there was no hope of good rainfall in the remaining days of the season.

At the same time, the civic administration also shot down a demand for water supply twice a day.

Corporators cutting across party lines raised the issue in the civic general body meeting on Tuesday and urged the civic administration to withdraw the water cut as there was has been good rainfall in the city and the catchment area of dams supplying water to the city.

In reply, Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak said it was not possible to withdraw the water cut. “IMD has predicted a weak monsoon in the coming days. Therefore, withdrawing the water cut would be risky,” Pathak said, adding that effective management of available water is the need of the hour.

All the dams supplying water to the city are not yet full, Pathak said. “The dams had a storage of 75 per cent by mid-August, as compared to 95 per cent last year.”

The irrigation department had asked the PMC to lift 1,000 MLD every day but 1,100 MLD was being drawn to meet the demand of the city, he said.

“We can make more water available to citizens from the present supply but cannot make it available twice a day. The demand to provide water twice a day is not possible when there is a demand from political parties to put in place a water management plan for 24 months against the practice of 12 months,” Pathak said.

Earlier, raising the issue elected representatives said citizens have to rely on water tankers to meet the demand even when the city has recorded good rainfall. There is insufficient and irregular water supply by the civic administration in parts of the city, they said.

The civic water supply and electricity department have been blaming each other for poor water supply in central parts of city. The water supply department blamed the electrical department for not following technical guidelines in lifting water while the electricity department has been saying that they were doing their job as per norms.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 August 2012 11:39
 

Water cuts may stay till next monsoon

Wednesday, 22 August 2012 10:32 administrator
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The Times of India   22.08.2012

Water cuts may stay till next monsoon

PUNE: Water cuts in the city will continue till the next monsoon if the four dams that provide water to Pune are not filled to capacity this year. Municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak said on Tuesday that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) cannot withdraw water cuts and regularise twice-a-day supply with the existing water storage.

In the general body meeting on Tuesday, corporators from all parties demanded that as dams providing water to the city are filled up to 75% of their capacity, the civic body should withdraw water cuts being enforced since March. The city has been receiving once-a-day water supply, following below average rainfall in the catchment areas of the dams.

"The dams providing water to the city - Khadakwasla, Temghar, Varasgaon and Panshet - have 75% water of their total capacity. This time last year, the storage was about 95%. We have to plan the drinking water supply for the city till July 31, 2013, or probably even till August 15. In the last few years, rains have evaded the region even in September and we need to save water for the next year. In this scenario, it is impossible to withdraw existing water cuts," Pathak said.

The civic chief said, "Since March, the city was receiving 1,000 million litres per day (MLD) water from reservoirs. After the recent rain spells, the city now lifts about 1,100 MLD water. This means that the 20% water cuts have been reduced to 10%. We can provide sufficient water to all parts once a day. But with the available quota, we cannot afford to resume twice-a-day supply."

Though the irrigation department has earmarked 11.5 TMC water for Pune, the city draws over 14 TMC water from the reservoirs of the four dams. Despite exceeding the quota, the city faces a water crisis throughout the year because of distribution losses.

Pathak added that the civic administration would address these issues and would also look into low pressure supply that some localities receive. "The civic body has banned the use of drinking water for construction and other non-drinking purposes, such as washing cars. The administration has readied tenders for an equitable water supply scheme. The state has also promised water to the city from the Bhama Askhed dam," he said.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 August 2012 10:36
 
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