Bisalpur water reaches 53 Prithviraj Nagar colonies

Jaipur: Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) minister Mahesh Joshi on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Bisalpur Dam-supplied Prithviraj Nagar drinking water project. Although the PHED had aimed to supply Bisalpur water to 1,100 colonies under the first phase, the project was inaugurated with a capacity to supply water only to 53 colonies of the Prithiviraj Nagar locality—the largest residential area of Jaipur. Officials stated that till September 19, PHED had managed to complete 95% of the work of phase-1 of the project. Engineers would gradually start supplying Bisalpur water to more and more localities as and when they finish the remaining works, they said. “The first phase of the project would be fully completed by December 2023. At that time we would start supplying Bisalpur water to 1,100 colonies of Prithiviraj Nagar. We are going to take up the second phase of the project later. Under phase-II, the government would spend another Rs 747 crore to supply Bisalpur water to 2,200 colonies of Prithviraj Nagar and surrounding areas,” said PHED minister Mahesh Joshi. A PHED engineer stated that this colony had come up in the late 90s and in the last two decades it had become the largest residential locality in Jaipur. For years, residents of these localities were dependent either on water supply from tankers or from boring, which depleted groundwater reserves of the city.Under phase-I of the project, PHED constructed a 44-km-long transmission main line from Balawala to Lohamandi, another 51-km-long rising main line, and about 970 km of distribution lines at a cost of Rs 563.93 crore. In addition, nine clean reservoirs with pump houses and 19 high reservoirs were constructed. “With the arrival of water from Bisalpur, the dependence of residents on tankers and boring would reduce. This would help improve the groundwater level of the area,” said Joshi.

No PHED panel yet for promotion of engineers

The implementation of the departmental promotional committee for the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) in Jaipur has been delayed, causing a negative impact on the department's day-to-day work. The Urban Development and Housing Department (UDH) has even transferred projects from PHED to the Rajasthan Urban Drinking Water Sewerage & Infrastructure Corporation (RUDSICO). There are concerns that the delay in implementing the committee, along with the upcoming model code of conduct, may further prolong the process. The Rajasthan State Engineering Services Association (RSESA) has requested the department heads to expedite the implementation.

Residents block road over water supply

Residents of Agrahara Samakulam in Coimbatore staged a protest, blocking a road to demand drinking water supply to their area. More than 110 families have been affected by the lack of water, which started when a pipeline broke. Despite repairs, the water has not been pumped to the overhead tank. The protesters dispersed after being assured by police and officials that the issue would be resolved.

Water supply in Vadodara to be hit

Water supply in Vadodara city, India, will be affected due to flooding in the Mahi river. The supply from French wells and the Sindhrot water supply project will be impacted. The approach road to the Sindhrot project was submerged, causing disruptions in supply. Power supply was also discontinued as a precautionary measure. The water levels in the river have started receding, and it is expected that operations will resume soon. Two French wells located at Raika and Dodka were also affected by the flood.