Ranchiites parched after delay in Rs 1,100 crore water supply project

RANCHI: The Rs 1,100-crore Ranchi Water Supply scheme that was initiated in 2018 and has a deadline of FY 2023-24 could only provide tap water connections to 48,000 households so far out of a target of 2 lakh in the capital.
Executed by Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure and Development Corporation ( JUIDCO), the project aims to provide improved water supply infrastructure to city.

JUIDCO PRO Ashutosh Kumar Singh said, “The Covid-19 pandemic and some permission-related issues have caused substantial setback to the scheme, which may lead to missing the deadline. However, the work is continuing and is expected to get completed soon.”
Three companies Jindal, Nagarjuna, and L&T have been tasked with laying pipelines and installing taps across the city.
Under the Urban Drinking Water Supply Scheme Phase-2A, which is part of the 1,100-crore scheme, 60,000 houses should get piped water in various parts of city. To ensure comprehensive coverage, 13 water towers were to be constructed in across city, but only eight could be built till now due to delays attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and departmental clearances.
“One critical issue hampering the project is the capacity of the 38 MLD (million litres per day) water treatment plant at Ruka Dam, which supplies water to the city. This plant falls short of meeting the demands of the scheme, making it essential to construct additional towers,” a JUIDCO official said.
Ratu Road resident Ranjan Bhardwaj said, “Even though a tank has been constructed and pipeline laid in our area, water is yet reached homes.”