Pithampur may get Narmada water by early 2018

Pithampur industrial area is likely to see the end of its water woes in just two years. Work on the Narmada project, with a capacity to supply 90 million litres a day (MLD) to the industrial area, is likely to start by September 2016, senior government officials said.

The area, which consumes 18-20 MLD, faces acute water shortage every summer as the water level in its reservoirs fall drastically forcing industrial units to entirely depend on water tankers.

According to sources in the Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN), the Pithampur Jal Prabhandhan Company Ltd (PJPCL)- a special purpose vehicle- has selected a consultant for reviewing the detailed project report (DPR), conducting bidding and other related works for improving the water supply system for the industrial area.

“The consultant’s report will be ready in about four months and the tenders will be out by June. The work on the project is likely to start by September,” Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN), Indore, managing director Kumar Purushottam told HT.

The consultant will also ensure that the Narmada water supply project was implemented in accordance with the plan and within stipulated time. The project seeks to develop the infrastructure for the water supply system for transmission and distribution of water as per the demand of the industrial area. Initially, the water supply will be as per the requirement of the industrial area.

PJPCL is a special purpose company incorporated to implement, promote and facilitate the development of water supply system for Pithampur industrial area and phase I of Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow investment region.

In September 2013, the DMIC Trust had cleared the Pithampur water supply project to lay pipeline from Narmada-Kshipra link. An earlier deadline of completing the first phase of the project by March 31, 2016, has now been pushed back by a couple of years.

Narmada can fulfil water demand

Demand of the Pithampur industrial area: 18-20 MLD

Capacity of the Narmada Water Supply Project (once it becomes fully operational): 90 MLD