57 of 62 overhead tanks in Ludhiana defunct

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 28

Despite spending crores of rupees on the construction of 57 overhead service reservoirs (water tanks) in the city, these are lying non-functional for various reasons. Of a total of 62 overhead tanks with a capacity of 88.2 lakh gallon, 57 tanks with a capacity of 84.7 lakh gallon are lying unutilised in four zones of the MC, reveals the forensic audit report.

Questions are being raised as to why these tanks are not being put to use. The audit report states that Ludhiana city is divided into four zones and groundwater is supplies to the city areas through tubewells. The water drawn from the tubewells is supposed to be distributed through the overhead service reservoirs.

According to the forensic audit report, there are 10 tanks with a capacity of 11 lakh gallon in Zone A, of which only two are functional. Also, of 21 tanks of 24.4-lakh gallon capacity in Zone B, only two are functional.

In Zone C, there are 10 OHSRs with a capacity of 19.5 lakh gallon, of which only one is functional. Of 21 tanks with 33.3 lakh-gallon capacity in Zone D, none is functional.

The audit report reads: “As per the prevailing market rate, the total cost of 57 OHSRs is approximately Rs 48.02 crore, and this infrastructure is lying unutilised.”

The report further states that there are 1,132 tubewells. Water is supplied through direct pumping where it is difficult to maintain the proper residual pressure at the delivery point.

The report recommends that the overhead tanks lying non-functional may be repaired and made functional at the earliest, and included in the water-distribution system to maintain the terminal pressure required at the farthest end.

Sources said owing to low water pressure in areas, a number of consumers were forced to install personal pumps to fill water tanks installed on rooftop.

Of 21 tanks, none functional in Zone D

According to the forensic audit report, there are 10 tanks with a capacity of 11 lakh gallon in Zone A, of which only two are functional. Also, of 21 tanks of 24.4-lakh gallon capacity in Zone B, only two are functional. In Zone C, there are 10 OHSRs with a capacity of 19.5 lakh gallon, of which only one is functional. Of 21 tanks with 33.3 lakh-gallon capacity in Zone D, none is functional.

Will take steps, says MC Official

Superintending Engineer Ravinder Garg said they would do a structural assessment of the overhead tanks in separate zones and take necessary steps in this regard after that.