972 Cr Water Scheme Under Scanner as Shimla Faces Drinking Water Crisis: Nanda
BJP State Media Coordinator Karan Nanda launched a scathing attack on the Congress government and the Shimla Municipal Corporation over the deepening drinking water crisis in the capital, Shimla, saying that drinking water is missing from Shimla city, and the public is yearning for it. In many areas, people are forced to wait for days for water. In the capital, where the government has always dreamed of providing 24-hour water, today people are facing a challenge in obtaining enough water for their daily needs.
Karan Nanda said that tall claims were made about the 24×7 drinking water scheme, costing approximately ₹972 crore, as a permanent solution to Shimla’s water crisis. However, today, due to suspected irregularities in the project’s implementation, the Chief Minister’s Office has been forced to order an investigation. The government should clarify why such a massive project was not monitored in time and how, instead of providing water to the public, the scheme came under scrutiny.
He said that according to information available, 5,500 connections were to be provided under the scheme, but not a single connection has been provided from the new line yet. Nineteen tanks were to be built, but not a single one has been completed. Only 51 kilometers of the 136-kilometer line has been laid, and only 5 kilometers of the 27-kilometer feeder has been completed. Zero percent work has been done on non-revenue water, and no work has been done on chlorination. These facts raise serious questions about the pace and implementation of the scheme.
Karan Nanda said that on one hand, the people of Shimla are struggling for every drop of water, while on the other, a drinking water scheme worth crores of rupees remains incomplete. The Congress government and the Municipal Corporation cannot simply make excuses to shirk their responsibility. If people in the capital are finding it difficult to get water for the fourth day, the government’s claims of 24×7 water supply are automatically questioned.
He said that the Chief Minister’s Office’s assignment of responsibility for the investigation to officials is in itself a signal that even the government cannot ignore the seriousness of the matter. The BJP demands that the investigation cover all aspects: the company’s compliance with the terms of the contract, the quality of the work, the timelines, payments made to date, liquidated damages, payments made for operation and maintenance, and the accountability of officials, and that the full investigation report be made public.
Karan Nanda said the government should also clarify the transfer of an officer who questioned the scheme’s performance. If an officer had raised concerns about the scheme’s slow pace or shortcomings, the reasons for their subsequent transfer should also be investigated.
He said that the people of Shimla don’t want 24-hour water on paper, they want water in their taps. The primary responsibility of the Congress government and the Municipal Corporation is to provide regular and clean drinking water to every family in the capital. The BJP demands a timely and impartial investigation, the report made public, responsibility fixed, and a clear action plan presented to the public to implement the 24×7 drinking water scheme within the stipulated timeframe.
