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To meet Chandigarh’s water demand: Badnore writes to Capt for land to set up pumping station

The work of construction has been allotted to an agency and GMADA has not given us the physical possession. For this, Rs 2 crore has already been paid to GMADA on May 30, 2016.

Updated on: May 22, 2017, 13:40:54 IST
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | By , Chandigarh
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Days after Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) withdrew the notification for acquiring 94 acre land in Jandpur village in SAS Nagar, UT administrator and Punjab governor, VP Singh Badnore, has written a letter to Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, for handing over 2 acre land to UT.

UT administrator and Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore. (HT File Photo)
UT administrator and Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore. (HT File Photo)

This is the land where Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) was to construct a pumping station to supply additional 40 million gallon daily (MGD) water

In the letter, Badnore stated that, GMADA should hand over the possession of 2 acre land to Chandigarh MC as it has to construct pumping station and underground reservoirs at Jandpur village.

Also, the work of construction has been allotted to an agency and GMADA has not given us the physical possession. For this, Rs 2 crore has already been paid to GMADA on May 30, 2016.

City mayor, Asha Kumari Jaswal, said, “I will also take up the matter with GMADA as residents should get round-theclock water supply by next summer.

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On May 20, HT reported that even though previous Chandigarh mayor Arun Sood had promised in 2016 that city would get 24X7 water supply from 2017 summer onwards, residents may have to wait for another two years for uninterrupted water supply.

The setback comes as GMADA has withdrawn the notification for acquiring 94 acres in Jandpur village in SAS Nagar.

MC Chandigarh was to construct a pumping station to supply additional 40 million gallon daily (MGD) water at the village and had paid Rs 98 crore for it.

Greater Mohali Area Development Authority will now acquire land in Sinhpur village, Sector 114.

GMADA had also proposed a water treatment plant under Phase 5 and 6 from Kajuali water works at the proposed land.

Speaking to HT, UT administrator, VP Singh Badnore, said, “I have written letter to punjab CM and hopeful that, we will get the possession soon.”

MC COULD HAVE SAVED Rs 20 CRORE

Chandigarh municipal corporation could have saved at least Rs 20 crore, had they carried out study before allotting the work of pumping station at Jandpur village of SAS Nagar.

As per the experts, at least Rs 20 crore could have been saved, had the officials applied their minds to look into the possibility of bringing 40 MGD directly from Kajuali to Sector 39 by upgrading the pumping machinery at Kajauli only.

  • Hillary Victor
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Hillary Victor

    Hillary Victor is a Special Correspondent at Chandigarh. He covers Chandigarh administration, municipal corporation and all political parties.