Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 29: Uncertainty prevails over the future of much publicized Rs 1008 crore mega water supply project for `Greater Jammu’ for the next 30 years by lifting it from river Chenab near Akhnoor, as the main foreign funding agency, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised some objections.
While the top officials in ERA, responsible for preparing project report and hiring consultancy for this mega water supply project for Jammu city, claim that ADB officials have raised simply some objections pertaining to environmental impact study report, the senior officials in the PHE, I&FC department disclosed that the ADB has nearly refused for the funding to this project, which has already been delayed by two years.
Under the Loan–I term, the agency (ADB) had to provide loan facility to J&K Government for this project up to 2017, but the ERA has already spent almost three years over project formation/ DPR, consultancies etc. At least three years’ time is required for the completion of this project and it will not be possible to complete it in the projected time, the sources said.
The slow pace of work and lack of proper pursuation on this drinking water project of utmost importance for the people of Jammu Kandi belt, has dragged it towards the uncertainty and `near closer situation’, of being dropped by the ADB, despite the fact that State has already spent over Rs 2 crore on consultancies and the allied works, out of public exchequer. And if the project is shelved, the Jammu people will lose an important mega water supply project which will cater to their needs for next over three decades.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ERA Tahseen Mustafa when contacted disclosed that during meeting with the ADB officials from Manila (Philppines) few months back, they had raised the issue of environment impact study on this important Rs 1008 crore Chenab water project. They had not categorically hinted to drop this project, but asked to fulfill the requirement of EIS must for final consideration of this project.
Replying to another question, the CEO said another consultancy has been hired for the Environment Impact Study work by ERA which will complete its work within one and half year. They have to study the aquatic life of the river and the 20 kms long channel to be prepared under the project besides allied effect on the environment. Even after completion of the project report, the State can approach any foreign bank for the funding, the CEO added.
Mr Mustafa ruled out any impact of Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan on this project with the plea that for drinking water purpose, there is no dispute at all. It covers only irrigation water or pondage for hydel power projects on the rivers which are covered under the Treaty, the CEO added.
Sources said that State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already given a nod to the project which was to be completed in two phases. The project was designed to cater to the need of water supply for the `Greater Jammu’ for the next thirty years. The river Tawi has been found inadequate to meet the demand of water supply for over 14 lakh souls and in future as well.
The Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) was asked to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the first phase of the project costing Rs 500 crore in 2011. The designed period of the Ist phase was for next 15 years, up to 2026 and the second phase for the next 15 years. In Phase-I, the PHE authorities planned to lift 225 MGD of water from river Chenab. The intake water channel will be dug about 70 mt down stream the existing old bridge on the left bank of the river at Akhnoor. The intake structure would be raised there and the water would be taken up to Gurha Pattan, about one kilometer from this point, where water treatment plant will be set up. The water testing has already been performed.
The sources further disclosed that water by gravity from this point will be taken to Muthi (Jammu) Central Pumping Station for storage, through pipes of 1.8 mt diameter, covering 20.5 km distance. It will be lifted to upper Roop Nagar storage tanks and then supplied to the city areas where water deficiency exists. The proposed areas to be covered in Jammu north- west are Roop Nagar, Ban Talab, Muthi, Durga Nagar, Buta Nagar, Janipur, Indira Colony, Bhawani Nagar, Naseeb Nagar, Patoli, Ploura, Rajpura, Rehari New Plot etc.
From the Muthi central storage point, the water will also be taken to Narwal pumping station and Belicharna with gravity. The water stored there will be supplied to the areas like Bathindi, Sunjuwan, Channi Himmat, Sainik Colony, Greater Kailash, Gangyal, Chatha, Raipur, Satwari, Jeevan Nagar, Airport area.
Chief Engineer PHE Jammu, K K Gupta when contacted said that department was presently providing nearly 45.5 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to the population of over 14 lakhs in Jammu city. He said the net requirement of water for the existing city population is 47.5 MGD. So, the winter capital city was still reeling under the shortage of 2 MGD (20 lakh gallons) of water per day.
Referring to the Chenab water project and its possible uncertain future, Mr Gupta said the PHE department has also prepared a preliminary project / vision document on the same pattern in which 225 MGD of water will be lifted from Chenab in first phase and 225 in the second. The first phase will be for 15 years and the second for the next 15. The project would be sent for the funding to the Union Government, he added.
When asked what was the need of this project when there is already a DPR prepared for Rs 1008 cr project for Jammu, Mr Gupta said, in case this project is not materialized or shelved, the major water crisis can be witnessed in Jammu in next one decade. For this purpose, the Department was asked to prepare another project to cater to the drinking water needs of Jammu people.
Another senior official of the PHE department said due to long power cuts and low voltage, the water supply is badly affected. He said over 200 Tube wells in and around Jammu were dependent on power supply. On an average two to three of them remain out of order due to mechanical fault and get affected due to power curtailment. Low voltage is yet another problem. It aggravates the problem during hot summer days and the pumps go out of order. He disclosed that over 55 water tankers have also been deployed in Jammu city and nearly 100 in entire Jammu region to cater to the need of the people during these hot summer days. He said the Chenab water supply is the only way to provide relief to the people of ever expanding Jammu city.
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