24x7 water supply project still moving at snail’s pace

Ludhiana: Among one of the initial projects under the smart city mission, the 24x7 water supply project for selected households is still moving at snail’s pace and has missed several deadlines. The project is now expected to be completed in December. Civic body officials claim it was a complicated project as initially cleaning of sewer system was also part of the project, and then due to some ongoing road and bridges (R&B) work the project started a little late.According to officials, work orders for this project were handed over on March 7, 2019, and it was expected to see completion by July 31, 2021, which could not happen as work could not start during this period. The first inauguration of the project happened in 2018 and then in 2022, after which the work to lay water supply lines started in selected localities. As of now, in some of the localities, the water supply line has been laid, while in others the work is in progress.This project will cover households in areas like Ghumar Mandi, Sarabha Nagar, Maharaj Nagar, Maya Nagar, Gurdev Nagar, among others. Since the canal-based water supply project is yet to take off, the officials will provide round-the-clock water supply with the help of tube wells. The officials claimed the project is divided in three parts. In the first, sewage cleaning was done. The project could not start earlier as work on Malhar Road and Sarabha Nagar market was going on. Superintending engineer of operation and maintenance cell Ravinder Garg said: “We have served notices on the contractor for delay in the completion of the project work, but there were some technical reasons too which were unavoidable. Also, due to the rainy season digging is not happening. However, we are sure that by the end of this year the contractor will complete the work.” Due to the delay in the completion of this project, the residents are facing a tough time. A resident of Sarabha Nagar Rahul Verma said: “A few days back, while digging, the road company workers broke rainwater drainage pipe outside my house and as it rained a lot of water got stagnant there. I had to raise this matter at commissioner level only then it was rectified.” He said that company workers have dug up the road several times and since this work is still incomplete the authorities are not constructing the road and there are potholes all around.