When will city get adequate quantity of water in taps!

Aurangabad, June 8:

The works relating to the new water supply scheme project valuing Rs 1680 crore started on war-footing. It was started in February 2021 and is expected to complete by February 2024. However, it is still unpredictable when the city will get an adequate quantity of water in taps under this newly initiated project.

Taking up the people's dear issue, the newspaper contacted the guardian minister, in charge chief engineer of Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP), and the project coordinator of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to know their take on it. All of them claimed that it that the new water supply scheme will be completed in three years. It is assumed that the project will give a major push to the development of the city if it gets completed within a stipulated period.

The demand for water is 200 MLD in the city, but the AMC is able to lift and transport 120 MLD from the source (Jayakwadi Dam). The absence of equal distribution of water is forcing the citizens to suffer. Many parts of the city are receiving water in their taps on the fifth day while remaining others get on the ninth day. Besides, the AMC had to face embarrassment due to improper water distribution during the summer. Hence to get rid of this distribution problem on a permanent basis, the state government approved the above water supply scheme. It will be completed under the supervision of MJP. Meanwhile, the private contractor shortlisted by the MJP has started the works of laying pipelines. Presently, the pipelines of 33 km long will be laid on the roads, which are to be undertaken by the AMC for development, soon. The work to construct 11 elevated storage reservoirs (ESR) is underway. The survey to lay the main pipeline from Jayakwadi to Nakshatrawadi has also been completed.

Nature of new project

The new scheme is being designed to meet the water demand of the city having population after 30 years (2050-52). It is estimated that the population could be between 35 lakh and 40 lakh. The project includes laying of the main pipeline of 2450 mm in size between Jayakwadi and Nakshatrawadi, distribution pipelines of 2100 km long or less than it in the city, construction of new MBRs, construction of water treatment plant, etc. The project will be completed in two phases and each phase is of 15 years. It is hoped that 451 MLD of water will be available in the first phase and 604 MLD of water by the end of the second phase. The extended portions of the city like Satara, Deolai, apart from all areas existing in the jurisdiction of AMC, have been included in the project.

The in-charge chief engineer (MJP) Ajay Singh said, " The works are going on with a target to complete the project by 2024. As per the instructions of AMC, we are laying pipelines on some roads in the city on priority. The construction of MBR at Nakshatrawadi is underway and the work of the water treatment plant has also been started."

Meanwhile, the AMC project coordinator Hemant Kolhe said, " The works are underway as per the guidelines framed to complete the new water supply scheme project in three years. There is no obstruction in the work. Hence it is hoped that the project will be completed by February 2024. The AMC is extending all support to complete the project."