The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has once again extended the defects liability period for the 24x7 water supply pilot project in Manimajra by six months, citing shortcomings and pending works.
Defects Liability Period Extended
The defects liability period, a contractually defined timeframe after project completion during which the company must fix defects at its own cost, has been extended from May 11, 2026, to November 10, 2026, or until all defects are rectified to the satisfaction of the Engineer-in-Charge, whichever is earlier. This follows a previous extension from November 11, 2025, to May 10, 2026.
According to MC sources, the extension was necessary because the 24-hour water supply was not achieved in certain zones, and complaints were received from NAC and Indira Colony areas regarding muddy water supply during the initial few minutes of service.
Specific Shortcomings Identified
In a letter to the company, the MC detailed several issues:
- Zones 2, 3, and 4 were not properly isolated or stabilized for 24x7 supply, leading to reduced hours and lower pressure than the minimum required at consumer ends. Low-pressure complaints came from Pipliwala Town, Mariwala Town, parts of Indira Colony near the railway line, and Old Abadi, Govindpura.
- The pipeline network transporting tubewell water to underground reservoirs (UGRs) was not properly isolated; approximately 2.5 MGD of water reached the UGRs compared to about 4.5 MGD generated from all 29 tubewells in Manimajra.
- DG sets installed at each pump house were of low capacity and unable to ensure water supply during power failures.
- Fire hydrant systems were not yet installed.
- The smart water metering data portal was not working properly, and the mobile application for consumers was unavailable on app stores.
Financial Implications
Once the defects liability period ends, the MC will have to pay nearly Rs 6 crore per annum for the operation and maintenance of the project. The extension delays this financial burden but aims to ensure the project meets specifications.
Background and Controversy
The project has been mired in controversy. The Vigilance Department launched a probe after city BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleging corruption. The project was inaugurated by the Union Home Minister in August 2024.
Additionally, a team from the Director General of Audit (Central Expenditure) conducted a comprehensive performance audit of the 24x7 Water Supply Project. This audit followed a letter from Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, emphasizing the urgent need for a performance audit.
