Restoration of damaged water schemes likely soon

After the mid-June deluge, the process of restoring damaged drinking water supply schemes in Uttarakhand is expected to gather momentum in the next few months with the initiation of the bidding process.

"We have started the bidding process. In the next few months, we are hopeful that the work to restore damaged drinking water supply schemes would also start," said P C Kimothi, general manager of the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan.

Most of these schemes are being restored through the aid given by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

While the World Bank is giving $30 million, the ADB be giving around $12 million.

Tenders, where the cost of the schemes would be more than Rs 10 lakh, are also to be invited under the national competitive bidding (NCB).

The ADB is giving an aid of Rs 70 crore to restore nine urban water supply schemes which were damaged in the devastating floods in Karanprayag, Gauchar, Rudraprayag, Srinagar, Devprayag, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, Kapkot and Dharchula.

Besides, 3,000 rural water schemes will also be restored with the aid of the World Bank and the ADB. Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan and Uttarakhand Payjal Nigam have been made the nodal agencies for sharing the restoration work.