Financial clearance for Kajauli awaited

With the Punjab government still not giving assurance for release of water to Chandigarh and the alignment for laying pipelines not finalised,the financial approval for Kajauli Phase VII and VIII is getting delayed. The completion of the project would provide the city around 34 million gallons daily (mgd) of water.

The Ministry of Urban Development has already given technical approval for the project. However,the financial approval is awaited. For this,assurance from the Punjab government about releasing water is essential. The Centre had earlier approved the project for Augmentation of Water Supply Kajauli Phase V and VI. The total cost of the project was Rs 171 crore. Of this Rs 134 crore had been approved under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). However,the Punjab government had refused to release water claiming that it was required for Mohali.

For the financial clearance to be given approval from the Punjab government,assuring that water would be released for these phases,would be required. The Punjab government had sent the proposed alignment of the 66 acre land to be acquired for laying pipelines to the Municipal Corporation. An inspection of the site was to be done by the team of officials from Chandigarh and Mohali. This is to ensure that there is no encroachment on the land.

The city receives 87 mgd of water,of which 67 mgd is canal water and 20 mgd is from tubewells. The peak summer demand of water is 113 mgd. The civic body would also start giving 3 mgd water to Panchkula in the coming year. For this purpose pipelines are being laid. Due to this Chandigarh will be in need of additional water.