The Hindu 02.04.2013
8 combined water supply schemes to be completed in next two years
Eight major combined water supply schemes across the State will be completed in the next two years.
Moving the demand for grants concerning departments under his Ministry in the Assembly on Monday, Municipal Administration Minister K.P. Munusamy said the combined water supply schemes in Virudhunagar, Madurai and Sivagangai districts taken up at a total cost of Rs.3,276.62 crore were in various stages of completion. These projects, which would benefit 85 lakh people, would be completed between this fiscal and next financial year.
Tendering was in process for three other combined water supply schemes in Cuddalore, Pudukottai and Thanjavur at a cost of Rs.877.74 crore. Nearly 18 lakh people would receive water supply through these schemes.
This fiscal too, the government proposed to cover 6,000 rural habitations through individual power pump schemes and combined water supply projects for which Rs.1,190.72 crore had been allocated. The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board would also revamp infrastructure in combined water supply projects this fiscal. Nearly 626 works, including replacing aged pumpsets and damaged pipeline, would be taken up at a cost of Rs.58.44 crore, Mr. Munusamy said.
TWAD also proposed to provide safe drinking water to 2,887 more anganwadis across the State this year. It had already provided water supply to 5,211 anganwadis last year.
In a bid to augment groundwater sources in the water-starved districts, the State government planned to create 1,171 recharge structures, be it check dams or percolation ponds, worth Rs.60 crore.
The TWAD was planning to complete district-wise groundwater quality maps this financial year to help identify sources for water supply.
