Ludhiana: A major water pipeline project, intended to secure the city's future water supply, has made painfully slow progress, leaving major roads half-dug for over a year. Only one-third of the work has been completed in 13 months and three weeks, with officials revealing that a bulk of the civil works—72%—remains unfinished.
Project Overview and Funding
The ₹1,300-crore canal-based water initiative is funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. It aims to transition Ludhiana from its reliance on depleting groundwater to a 24-hour potable surface water supply. However, since February 2025, only 28% of the civil works have been completed.
Impact on Roads and Daily Life
The slow progress has turned major roads in areas like Model Town and Sarabha Nagar into bumpy, dust-choked corridors. While 60 kilometers of pipes have been installed, the most challenging phase—navigating the congested lanes of the Old City—has yet to begin. Land scarcity and local protests have stalled the construction of overhead tanks at 20 out of 70 planned sites.
Critical Need for the City
The project is vital for Ludhiana's survival. The city currently relies on 1,200 tube-wells, which are rapidly exhausting the local water table. Officials warn that without the shift to canal water, the city faces a total supply collapse. Mayor Inderjit Kaur has suggested closer coordination with contracted firms to minimize public hardship, but despite these directives, the project is not slated for completion until 2028.
Commuters now face three more years of navigating gritty, half-dug roads. The project's delays have already caused significant inconvenience, and the extended timeline means that the city's residents will have to endure these conditions for the foreseeable future.
