The Punjab government today approved a Rs 800 crore-plan to provide drinking water to as many as 1,300 villages of the state.
Once implemented over a span of two years, the plan will bring all villages of the state under drinking water coverage, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said after inaugurating a sewerage treatment plant here.
He said the Punjab government is planning to set up sewerage treatment plants in all cities by 2016, and the treated water will be used for irrigation purpose.
Sukhbir said state government has evolved an urban renewal plan under which all cities will have underground sewerage, treatment plants, door-to-door solid waste collection facility, solid waste disposal plants and metered drinking water facility, besides upgradation of internal roads.
He said a separate plan has also been finalised for scientific disposal of rain water and its harvesting, keeping in view the depleting underground water table.
Hitting out at opposition Congress on this occasion, Sukhbir rubbished its allegations of misuse of official machinery in Zila Parishad polls.
