Now, apply for sewerage, water connections online in Shimla

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 30

Come 2020, the Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam (SJPN) is set to take a big leap towards digitisation with all applications for water and sewerage connections being made online. An app has been created for online services which are available on the official website of the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC).

Junior engineers in Chhota Shimla, Sabzi Mandi, Lakkar Bazaar, New Shimla, Sanjauli and Chaura Maidan have been issued directions to resolve the issues of residents pertaining to testing of metres, change of name and other matters related to bills, said AGM, SJPNL, Vijay Gupta.

Earlier, the consumer used to lodge complaints at the head office. Now, these would be resolved at JE offices.This would save time and energy wasted in rotation of files and problems be redressed more efficiently under the decentralised system, he said, adding that the monthly billing cycle would be started from February.

For new connections, the applicants will have to upload documents, including revenue proof, completion certificate, no-objection certificate in respect of taxes and door-to-door garbage and fee for domestic and commercial connections has been fixed at Rs 2,550 and Rs 5,550.

The SJPNL will generate bills at consumer’s doorstep on the pattern of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board and besides generating online bills, it will also facilitate online payment of bills on the spot. The machines have been procured and are being rested.

Distribution lines have been laid at Bangala colony in the Engine Ghar locality in Sanjauli for the 24x7 water supply under the pilot project. The city, which faced worst water crisis in 2018 with consumers getting water supply on seventh or eighth day, would get 24x7 supply of water. A sum of Rs 396 crore has been sanctioned under the World Bank project for revamping the distribution system and tenders would be opened on January 10.

At present, there are 36,500 water connections and several steps had been taken by the SJPNL to plug leakages by changing the worn-out pipes, replacing generators and laying new lines, resulting in sharp reduction in transmission and distribution losses which have dropped from 27 to 2 per cent and 25 to15 per cent.

Bill payment at doorstep

For new connections, the applicants will have to upload documents, including revenue proof, completion certificate, no-objection certificate in respect of taxes

Door-to-door garbage collection fee for domestic and commercial cases has been fixed at Rs 2,550 and Rs5,550

The SJPNL will generate bills at consumer’s doorstep on the pattern of HP electricity board