UT civic body seeks Rs 42 cr from Chandimandir Cantt

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 22

The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has demanded Rs 42 crore from Chandimandir Cantonment for laying new pipeline to supply water coming from Kajauli to Chandimandir as the cast iron pipeline is not in a good condition.

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Chief Engineer NP Sharma said they had forwarded the letter to the Chandimandir authorities and demanded the money for the purpose.

Sources revealed that this time the MC had also included the cost of land, which would be used for laying pipeline.

An official of Chandimandir Cantonment said they had forwarded the letter to the higher officials for their approval.

In 1983, an agreement was signed between Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana, wherein it was decided that water from Bhakra, through the Kajauli waterworks, would be supplied to Mohali, Chandigarh, Chandimandir and Panchkula.

As per the agreement, various phases of Kajauli were worked out. So far, the work on Phases I, II, III and IV has been completed. As per the agreement, 20 MGD of water is to be made available from every phase. Of the 20 MGD, Chandigarh is receiving 14.5 MGD, Mohali 2.5 MGD, Chandimandir 1.5 MGD and Panchkula 1.5 MGD.

Chandimandir will get water from Phases V, VI lines as well

A senior Chandigarh MC official said there were two pipelines - cast iron pipe and mild steel pipe - through which the MC is supplying around 5 MGD water to Chandimandir. As Chandimandir will also get water from Phases V and VI supply lines, therefore it was needed to lay new pipeline in place of cast iron pipeline so that around 9 MGD water could be supplied to Chandimandir from six lines of Kajauli. They are now waiting for Chandimandir’s reply so that work can be started.

Panchkula also not getting full share of water

While Panchkula is entitled to 6 million gallons per day (MGD), it is only getting 4.5 MGD, leaving a shortage of 1.5 MGD. Recently, HUDA had written to officials of the Chandigarh MC Engineering Wing raising concern over not getting the full share of water supply.