Priority to surface water-based group drinking water schemes in state

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh government is now giving priority to surface water-based group drinking water schemes’ implementation in view of depleting ground water level. Madhya Pradesh Water Corporation constituted for this purpose is working towards giving fillip to these schemes’ implementation. At present, national average is 47.60 percent and state’s average 26.10 percent with regard to supplying drinking water to rural population. In view of it, large number of drinking water schemes need to be implemented to equal the national average and achieving targets set for year 2022.
Keeping this target in view, Water Corporation has identified 889 villages in 19 districts for surface water-based drinking water schemes in the first phase. The 25 group drinking water schemes will cost Rs. 1337 crore 88 lakh. Tenders have also been invited for sanctioned works. Work orders have been issued for 3 schemes and work is under progress. Tender process is on for remaining 22 schemes.
In the second phase, work is on for survey and DPR preparation of 33 group drinking water schemes. Of these, DPRs of 11 schemes have been prepared and technical sanction accorded. DPR for remaining 22 schemes are under preparation. Apart from these, other drinking water schemes have also been identified and work is underway for their DPRs and survey.
Bundelkhand Package: The Water Corporation will implement 7 group drinking water supply schemes under Phase-2 of Bundelkhand Development Special Package. Administrative sanction has been accorded to 4 of these schemes. Tender process is on. DPRs of remaining 3 schemes have been prepared and technical sanction accorded. Administrative sanction will also be accorded soon.
It is noteworthy that one or another district of Bundelkhand faces drinking water crisis during summer every year. For overcoming drinking water crisis, 1287 drinking water schemes costing Rs. 100 crore have been sanctioned for 6 districts including Sagar, Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Damoh and Datia under Bundelkhand Special Package. Of these, 1103 schemes have been completed and water supply started from 1047 schemes. These works have cost Rs. 95 crore 53 lakh so far. Work of remaining schemes is under progress. A target has been set to complete them all by December this year.