Decision on water rates in Pandesara likely tomorrow

SURAT: Industries of Pandesara, which take water for their units from Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), will have to pay higher charges from April 2011. However, the rate hike will not be huge as has been projected in the fresh proposal put up by the civic body. SMC's standing committee will take a decision on the rate hike on Thursday.
Standing committee chairman Mukesh Dalal told TOI, "We will consider the prevailing condition in the textile industry and also the representation made by Pandesara industrial units.The hike in supply rates will take place but it will be somewhere between Rs 20 and Rs 23 per unit against the present rate of Rs 16 per unit."
These industries at present are supplied potable water by the SMC up to 45 MLD at the rate of Rs 16 per unit. The SMC in its renewed contract had suggested Rs 25 per unit for future supply.
As the industry expressed its inability to buy water at the suggested rate, the proposal put up before the standing committee was postponed.
A representation was made to the mayor by the industries. They said the industries can't afford more than Rs 2 per unit increase. Jitu Wakhariya, president, Pandesara Green Environment and Water Welfare Co-operative Society, said, "We are hopeful of a positive result."
Against a total requirement of about 75 MLD, the industries in Pandesara receive 45 MLD of water and SMC plans to fulfill the remaining shortage by supplying treated water to them.
However, the rate issue could rock the boat of arrangement if industries stick to their guns.
A majority of 105 units of Pandesara are water-based textile units. The water supplied to these industries is potable. It is taken from the quota of drinking water of Surat city. The SMC plans to supply treated water to these industries so that potable water can be diverted for the people's use.