In a move that will ensure that the city gets additional water to meet its increasing needs, the Ministry of Urban Development has approved the augmentation of Phase V and VI of the water supply scheme, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

The approval was given in a meeting of Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria with Secretary, Urban Development, held on Friday at New Delhi.

The total cost of the project is Rs 171 crore of which Rs 134 crore will be provided by the Centre. The remaining expenditure would be divided between the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation. Dr Sunkaria said the project was a necessity to sustain the per capita availability of water in view of the increased population and increased FAR and to move towards a round-the-clock water supply system. He said additional water was needed keeping in mind the upcoming sectors, colonies and 25,000 flats for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers and to meet the increased requirement of water in Industrial Area, IT Park and Institutional Area.

A presentation highlighting the merits of the project was made by the commissioner.

Around 40 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) of water will be added under the project. Of this, 29 MGD would be Chandigarh’s share.

Mohali would receive 5 MGD, while Panchkula and Chandimandir will get 3 MGD each.

Dr Sunkaria said that with the increase of 29 MGD additional water supply to Chandigarh, the problem of water shortage during summers will be solved and the civic body will be able to meet the growing demand of villages and rehabilitation colonies, where water will be supplied from 16 to 19 hours in a day instead of the present eight hours. ENS