Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Launches Essential Water Works Upgrade
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has officially commenced the long-awaited upgrade of the Kajauli Water Works, a crucial facility that supplies water to the city and surrounding areas. Based on a technical assessment, the project is estimated to cost approximately Rs 27 crore. This initiative follows the scrapping of a more comprehensive 24x7 water supply project, which was originally budgeted at Rs 58 crore.
Project Trimmed and Revised for Efficiency
Originally, the upgrade was part of a holistic 24x7 water supply project with a budget of Rs 58 crore. After the MC House unanimously decided to abandon that plan, the scope and cost were significantly reduced. The Chandigarh administration has approved this revised version, which now focuses solely on essential components. The entire financial burden will be covered by funds from the central government's AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) category.
Officials have described this as a reduced but critical upgrade, ensuring that vital systems are addressed without the expense of a full-scale overhaul. By downsizing, the project aims to maintain operational reliability while minimizing expenditure.
Key Components Being Replaced
Work on the ground has already begun, with major replacements underway. These include:
- All main intake pipes that lift water from the Bhakra canal
- Pressure pipes and pumping machinery
- Headers and water flow meters
- Installation of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system
- Online monitoring facilities
Given that the existing machinery is three to four decades old, these replacements are deemed necessary to ensure smooth functioning. Kajauli Water Works, located over 35 kilometers from Chandigarh, supplies water to multiple cities, making its reliability paramount.
Several Components Dropped from Original Plan
Sources indicate that the original 24x7 project included a complete machinery overhaul, replacement of all pumps, provision of power back-up for each pump, an 11KV sub-station, and new electrical panels. However, none of these features are included in the current upgrade. Instead, the focus is on replacing only the oldest and most essential machinery.
This approach prioritizes executing the bare minimum work required for stable operation. Officials emphasize that the revised plan aims to achieve necessary improvements with minimal financial outlay, ensuring that critical systems remain functional without unnecessary extras.
Upgrade Aimed at Ensuring Stability and Continuity
With machinery aged 30 to 40 years, the limited upgrade is designed to cover major requirements and stabilize the existing system rather than redesign it. By replacing intake pipes, pressure lines, pumping machinery, headers, and meters, and installing SCADA and online monitoring, the MC aims to enhance efficiency and reduce breakdowns.
While previous proposals included power back-ups, electrical panels, and an 11KV sub-station, the scaled-down plan intentionally excludes these due to cost considerations. The primary objective is to ensure continuity of water supply through essential upgrades, addressing the most pressing needs of the aging infrastructure.
Background on Kajauli Water Works
Established in 1983, Kajauli Water Works draws water from the Bhakra Main Line (BML) and supplies it to Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and Chandimandir on a sharing basis. Initially, only four lines (phases) were installed, but the facility has since expanded to six lines.
The sharing pattern, decided in 1983 for 20 MGD (million gallons per day), allocated:
- Chandigarh (UT) — 14.5 MGD
- Mohali (Punjab) — 2.5 MGD
- Panchkula (Haryana) — 1.5 MGD
- Chandimandir Cantonment — 1.5 MGD
Currently, with a capacity of 120 MGD, the sharing pattern is:
- Chandigarh (UT) — 87 MGD
- Mohali (Punjab) — 15 MGD
- Panchkula (Haryana) — 9 MGD
- Chandimandir Cantonment — 9 MGD
This upgrade is a critical step in maintaining the reliability of water supply for these regions, leveraging central funds to address essential infrastructure needs without overextending municipal resources.
