The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Saturday directed officials to ensure daily water supply in Shimla city and its nearby areas and warned of strict action if they failed in checking leakages and overflow of water tanks.
During a meeting on the issue of shortage of water supply in Shimla, Virbhadra Singh directed officials to immediately repair and start Giri water supply scheme and ensure day-to-day distribution of water to the people of Shimla and its suburbs.
The Chief Minister also directed to complete work on Rs.105 Crore Garoh-Gandal water supply scheme in Shimla Rural assembly segment by April which would cater to the needs of 75,000 people of 41 panchayats.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the residents of Shimla city have been getting water on an alternative day or after two days all through the year.
Shimla has a population of over 1.70 lakh and around 50,000 households and the city requires 42 mn litres of water per day but is getting only 34-35 mn litres per day on an average.
While the total requirement outside Shimla Municipal Corporation area was around 4 MLD. After the repairs of Giri water supply scheme, it would add 5 to 6 mn litres per day to the existing supply.
Another drinking water supply scheme at Ashwani khad was closed on 1 January, 2016 due to leakage of sewage from Sewerage Treatment Plant which caused worst ever jaundice outbreak in Shimla, resulting in the death of 20 persons. The scheme, which used to cater to one third of the city, is still closed as the catchment area is contaminated.