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| 20 lakh water meters worth Rs 12Cr to check misuse in twin cities: Taj | | | ARTEEV SHARMA
JAMMU, Jan 27: With water scarcity looming large over the people of State against the backdrop of long dry spell, the National Conference led coalition government has formulated a multi-crore project of ‘water budgeting’ by installing water meters in Jammu as well as Kashmir provinces.
The proposal has been mooted to brace up with the actual demand and requirement of drinking water in the years to come.
Official sources said, “The State Government has moved a proposal to the Centre seeking its financial assistance for the purchase of water meters to be installed in both the provinces of State. The plan has been drafted to check the misuse of drinking water in view of receding water resources.”
“The Government has also decided to revise the water tax in the State so that the concept of judicious use of water is implemented,” averred sources.
Official disclosed that the Public Health & Engineering Department has proposed to install nearly 22 lakh water meters in Kashmir and Jammu provinces with an estimated cost of about Rs 60 crore.
Talking to the Early Times, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control confirmed that the State Government has sent a proposal of purchasing water meters for both provinces (Kashmir and Jammu) in the State to the Central Government seeking its financial assistance.
“About 10 lakh water meters would be installed in Jammu province while this number may cross 10 lakh figures in Kashmir province. Nearly two lakh meters would be installed in urban parts of Jammu alone. Each meter costing Rs 600 would definitely check the misuse of drinking water particularly in urban parts of the State,” the Minister said, adding “The project would be given practical shape soon after the Central Government’s nod in terms of financial assistance.”
“We have also decided to use water meters in Jammu and Srinagar cities in the first phase to check the misuse of drinking water,” he added.
Sources informed that the water metering would be taken up under Urban Infrastructure Development in Small and Medium Towns project and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Though the total water requirement of Jammu city is 37 Million Gallons Daily (MGD), the long dry spell due to scanty rainfall has badly affected the normal water supply in urban parts of Jammu.
Officials said, “If the dry spell continues to persists, Jammuites would face acute shortage of drinking water in ensuing summer season.”
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