SMC stalls Rs 955 cr water supply project

The standing committee of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) stalled the implementation of a Rs 955 crore water supply project owing to huge cost of the project. Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS), a New Delhi-based consultancy firm, suggested the civic body to implement the project, which involves laying pipelines from Kakrapar weir, some 60 km from the city, to draw additional 800 million litre per day (MLD) water. The civic body asked the authorities to look at other sources to draw water for the future requirement of the city. For the time being, it stalled the project proposal. Surat at present gets nearly 800 MLD of water from the weir-cum-causeway at Singanpore. The proposed project is designed to create an alternative source of water for the city, considering the future requirement when the population touches close to 75 lakh from the present 46 lakh. The project envisaged laying 59 km-long pipeline from Kakrapar to Surat via Sampura, Vav at national highway to Surat through Punagam. It was suggested that two pipelines of 1,829 mm diameter be laid which could draw maximum of 780 MLD of water. Of the total 59 km, 40 km pipeline was suggested along the canal and the remaining along the national highway and village roads.