24X7 water supply: 139 sites identified for reservoirs

LUDHIANA: The MC has identified 139 locations for overhead service reservoirs (OHSR) to provide 24x7 canal-based water supply in the city with the support of the World Bank. MC officials said they would install a water treatment plant at Bilga village, where canal water would be treated. This water would reach the water storage tanks through pipelines and people would be able to get regular water supply to their households. MC officials have sought objections from residents as these storage tanks will be set up in residential areas and in case of serious concerns, the civic body may consider changing locations of a few.
Civic officials have identified locations for establishment of the overhead reservoirs but before going ahead with construction work, they want to know if people are comfortable with the construction of big water storage tanks near their houses.
On Tuesday, MC commissioner Shena Aggarwal said that residents could register their objections till one month from the date of notice. The MC has displayed a list of 139 overhead service reservoirs at its Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar. Residents can check the list and get their objections registered in the office of the superintending engineer. However, objections will not be considered valid after a month.
The canal-based water supply project is essential in view of the depleting ground water level. The city is getting water supply from tubewells. However, gradually, people have started complaining about poor quality of water supply. Water pressure is also affected in many areas of the city where contamination is a major issue.
The project will cost more than Rs 3,200 crore and will be completed in two phases. The first phase is yet to start. In other cities like Amritsar and Patiala, the project has already started.