No Narmada water for majority of Bhopal residents

Benefits of the ambitious multi-crore Narmada Water Supply project, constructed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for Bhopal town has yet not reached majority of the population.

Many localities receive water in two days. Also, the installation called for metered water supply at each household is under debate. Almost 60 per cent of the population is dependent upon drinking non-treated water supplied in private colonies through internal non-government arrangements.

"It would take some time as there cannot be free water to all. Also, different localities cannot have different tariff for water. However, initial installation charges are being worked out," a highly-placed government official said.

Earlier, Bhopal Municipal Council had sent proposal to the state government to make sure that Narmada water should reach every household at free of cost. Water supply in Bhopal is a big issue as gas tragedy affected areas of Bhopal receives interrupted water supply despite Supreme Court.

Narmada water supply project a costly and delayed project has yet not completed in terms of distribution. "The Rs 700-crore project requires a minimum Rs 450 per month at Rs 14 per kilo liter rate if state government has to recover cost," another government official said.

Bhopal Municipal Corporation does not have adequate staff to ensure proper distribution of water in various private colonies except for ensuring bulk supply in private storage tanks. But it would create another problem of handing over the water supply in private hands. "It is impractical and would trigger a debate though it requires huge manpower for municipal corporation but private people should not be allowed to take control of water," the official agreed.

Bhopal, if the project runs successfully, will resolve the water crisis for another 30 years. The total demand of Bhopal by then will reach 500 million liters per day if consumption stands at 150 litres water per person per day.