For the first time in the state,the Vadodara Municipal Corporation will provide the city zoo with treated sewage water supply. The initiative aims not only to save the drinking water supplied at the moment,but also minimise dumping of sewage in the Vishwamitri river. The civic body already has a sewage treatment plant near Sayaji Baug zoo and now it would be connected to the treated sewage sump by a 250-mm diameter pressure line for which the estimated cost is Rs 22.6 lakh. The actual cost of the project would,however,be higher according to officials. The proposal has been moved in the VMC standing committee,which is slated to meet on December 31. Once passed by the committee,the same would be sent for the general board meeting for the final sanction. It is for the first time that such an initiative will be taken in Gujarat. In almost all the zoos in the country,drinking water is supplied. Since we already had an STP near Sayaji Baug,we thought of connecting the same with the sump in the nearby premises and eventually connect it with the existing pipeline network in the zoo, VMC Commissioner M K Das told The Indian Express. He added: This would help us save a lot of drinking water as the park has a large number of trees and water is required in large quantity to maintain the animal and bird cages. There will be a separate drinking water line for the visitors. The water coming from STP would be used only for maintenance purpose. Officials said the civic body would not face any financial constraints as the estimated cost would be availed from the sanctioned Rs 105.14 crore quota under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in 2007 for installation of gravity line,pressure line,sewerage treatment plant,pumping station and for up gradation of the old pumping stations. After the VMC floated tenders for the project,two companies qualified. Nand Infrastructure and Projects has been shortlisted for the project .
