AHMEDABAD: The crucial pilot project for 24x7 Narmada water supply and water metering in Jodhpur ward of the city still remains a pipe dream as the project which was to be completed in December 2019 is still incomplete.
The state government in its reply to a question by the Congress MLA from Bapunagar, Himmatsinh Patel, said that water was supplied for six hours in some areas and for 20 hours in other locations.
Patel had sought details of the project stating that it was to be completed in December 2019. The government stated that in Anandnagar, Narmada water is being supplied for 20 hours, while in areas near Jodhpur crossroads, the water supply is for 14.5 hours. In Gokul Awas and Ghar Vihona societies, people have been getting water for 6.5 hours.
The government said that in Anandnagar, Jodhpur crossroads, Gokul Awas and Ghar Vihona societies the water connections were given and water meters were installed by December 2019.
The government told the House that metered-water supply was not given in slum areas and in some societies as the existing lines are of PVC. The societies have been asked to replace the existing network with the ductile iron pipes.
Officials in AMC’s water supply department said that in the area near Prahladnagar, societies have not been able to get the water as there are some technical issues. “The residents are not getting water with adequate pressure. We have identified the root cause and are now laying a separate pipeline from SG Highway which will be completed by 2022,” said an officer.
The officer said that the old water networks in Jodhpur ward have been completely replaced and the new network has been tested for its durability. Some 6,000 households are to be provided water connections, of which 1,000 have already been getting the supply.
Under the new water policy, a base payment limit has been set for a fixed volume of 20,000 litres a month at a rate that ranges from Rs 240 to Rs 2,880, depending on the carpet area of the property. Any extra usage will be charged per 1,000 litres. This rate ranges from Re 1 for properties with a carpet area of up to 15 square metres to Rs 12 for properties with a carpet area of more than 1,000 square metres.