The Times of India  27.08.2010

MUMBAI: The BMC may not be willing to roll back the water cuts even though the latest data on lake levels shows that the catchment areas have enough stock to last until next monsoon. Sources say there is no "practical reason'' why the civic body must persist with the cuts with the existing stock touching 11,01,149 million litres— sufficient to meet the normal water supply of 3,450 mld for the next nine months (until May 31).

"Our lakes have enough water to sustain the city's needs for the next nine months even if it does not rain any more. But last year's experience has taught us to be cautious,'' said Yogesh Sagar, a member of the civic standing committee.

At the standing committee meeting on Wednesday, corporators from all political parties demanded that the BMC withdraw the cut immediately. "Even if it doesn't rain now, a 5% cut could be imposed later in the months of June and July next year,'' they said. Following a discussion on the situation of water supply at the meeting, the cut was brought down to 4%, with the BMC increasing water supply to the city to 3,264 mld.

BMC officials said they were forced to play it safe as two major lakes—- Bhatsa and Upper Vaitarna—were still below the overflow mark. "While Upper Vaitarna was still 35% short of its entire quota, Bhatsa was at least 17% below the required mark,'' officials said. "Although the four BMC lakes have started to overflow, their contents account for a small share of the total supply to the city. We still need 13,20,000 million litres to sail through the entire year,'' said a senior civic official.

The Pioneer  27.08.2010

Staff Reporter | Bhopal

In view of outsourcing the water supply work, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) would prepare a report on daily water needs of the city.

Details of total number of tap connections required with the ratio of present population, water storing capacity, sources and availability of water and infrastructure related information will be included in it.

Addressing a meeting in this regard, Municipal Commissioner Manish Singh directed officials of the Water Works Department to share the details with Crisil Infrastructure Ltd _ the Mumbai-based firm appointed by the BMC to draft offer letter, terms and conditions related document for inviting tenders prior to handing over the water supply work to the private company.

The officials have been asked to finish the task in a week's time, so that the Request For Proposal (RFP) could be prepared before floating the tenders.

It may be noted here that on coming of Narmada water to the city under the central funded Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the BMC aims to provide round the clock water supply in the city.

However, a private firm would be given the task of carrying out the water supply work. Despite an uncertain amount of time remaining for Narmada water to come to the city, the Corporation is addressing the water distribution related issues in advance.