Ruparaliya said a deadline of October 15 had been set to complete laying of the pipeline. Two pipelines of 45 kms each will be laid from Rajkot to Vakaner; one for supplying water from the Macchu dam and the other for bringing water from underground sources near Vakaner.

However, experts are skeptical about the time duration of laying the pipeline. Sources in Rajkot Municipal Corporation say it would be at least two months before the project is completed.

This will create a tight-rope situation for the RMC as it can supply water only till September-end, while work on laying of the pipeline is expected to be completed by October-end. This means the RMC will have to make arrangements to supply water for a month.

However, Mayor Manjulaben Patel is confident that supply of water to the city on alternate days will continue as the State Government and Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board has undertaken the task. Irrespective of the rains, water will be supplied to the city on every alternate day, she said.

She said the BJP had managed to provide water to the city even during the three years of drought so this was not a new situation for them.