Punjab seeks Centre nod for World Bank funding

Badal sends project worth Rs 2,200 cr to Centre

To improve water supply and sanitation facilities in the villages of Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday gave his nod for sending a proposal worth Rs 2,200 crore to the Centre for recommending the case to the World Bank.

The proposal would be considered by the World bank for its Rural Water Supply Sanitation Project Phase-II. The objective of this project is to provide quality water supply and sanitation facilities in the rural areas of the state, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said.

Under the proposal, the Punjab government has sought expansion and remodeling of 70 existing schemes of rural water supply and sanitation in 108 villages of Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts at a cost of Rs 175 crore, the spokesman said.     

Likewise, in 800 villages, the state government has proposed upgradation of the service level of water supply schemes from 40 to 70 litre water per person per day with an investment of Rs 300 crore. He said that the state government has also desired to improve the efficiency of existing water supply schemes, which are already functioning at a service level of 70 litre per capita per day, in 1000 villages with an investment of Rs 125 crore.

The Punjab government has also proposed implementation of piped 'solid-free sewerage system' in 800 villages with effluent treatment with an investment of Rs 1300 crore.

It has further desired to install RO system and other suitable technology for water purification in 250 villages were contaminants were more than the permissible limits. The project will have cost Rs 50 crore, the spokesman said.