WB to give Rs 292cr for Shimla water supply scheme

Shimla: World Bank (WB) has given its nod to release first instalment of Rs 292 crore towards the implementation of project to provide round-the-clock water supply to Shimla town. World Bank, in its negotiation meeting held under the chairmanship of the director department of economic affairs, on Monday and approved the development policy loan (DPL) to the tune of Rs 292 crore out of the total loan amount of Rs 986 crore that will be released in three DPLs to address water-related issues.
Official sources stated that this was first of its policy-related project in water sector wherein the Himachal Pradesh government, in line with its commitments to provide world class service delivery in water sector to its citizens, has undertaken policy level reforms in institutional autonomy, tariff, water connections, energy efficiency and customer accountability prior actions to trigger first instalment of DPL.
On successful achievement of all prior action agreed with WB, the state government has approached the department of economic affairs to negotiate the first instalment of DPL.
The procurement process for the bulk water project will be initiated and completed as per the timeline agreed with the WB, they added.
It is estimated that by 2050 Shimla would require 107 million litres per day (MLD) water while at present it needs only 40 MLD water. As already severe water crisis is being witnessed in the hill town, the state government has prepared this externally funded project to draw water from Satluj river to meet future needs.
Under the long-term action plan for improvement of drinking water supply to Shimla town, a detailed project report (DPR) has been finalized for the augmentation of water supply scheme from Satluj river.
Sources said from this proposed scheme, water would be lifted from Satluj at Shakrodi near Sunni in Shimla district and daily 70 MLD water would be supplied. Once the scheme is completed, government intends to provide round the clock water to residents for which distribution pipes too would be changed.