Shimla Residents Brace for Water Rate Hike: What You Need to Know

In a recent announcement, the government has declared a 10% increase in water charges for Shimla Municipal Corporation, which will also lead to a proportional rise in sewerage charges.

Sahil Sharma, spokesperson for SJPNL, detailed the new tariffs that will affect various categories, including domestic connections within and outside municipal limits, commercial establishments, hotels and restaurants, construction connections, and government or religious institutions.

Domestic Water Connections:

• Within Municipal Limits:
  • Up to 20 kilo litres: ₹21.23 per kilo litre
  • 20 to 30 kilo litres: ₹36.61 per kilo litre
  • Above 30 kilo litres: ₹65.89 per kilo litre
  • Minimum maintenance charges for plugged connections: ₹488.48 per month
  • Faulty meter rate: ₹48.31 per kilo litre
• Outside Municipal Limits:
  • Up to 20 kilo litres: ₹73.21 per kilo litre
  • 20 to 30 kilo litres: ₹102.49 per kilo litre
  • Above 30 kilo litres: ₹242 per month
  • Minimum charge for plugged connections: ₹1948.58 per month

Commercial Water Connections:

• Rates range from ₹58.56 per kilo litre for up to 20,000 litres to ₹168.38 per kilo litre for consumption above 75,000 litres.

Hotels and Restaurants:

• Rates start at ₹116.93 per kilo litre for up to 30,000 litres and go up to ₹214.34 per kilo litre for usage exceeding 75,000 litres.
• Plugged connections: ₹242 per month
• Faulty meter rates: ₹8557.67 per month

Building Construction Water Connections:

• Priced at ₹168.38 per kilo litre, with the same plugged and faulty meter charges as commercial establishments.

Government Institutions, Hospitals, and Religious Places:

• ₹92.25 per kilo litre, with a minimum charge of ₹242 per month for plugged connections.

Tanker Charges:

• Domestic rates range from ₹1331 for a 2000-litre tanker to ₹5324 for an 8000-litre tanker.
• Commercial rates start at ₹1797 for 2000 litres and reach ₹7187.40 for 8000 litres.

Additionally, sewerage charges will remain at 30% of the water bill, and a 10% surcharge will apply to outstanding amounts. Consumers using local water sources instead of the Shimla Water Supply System will pay ₹110 per month, subject to a 10% annual increase. Faulty meters must be reported within a month to avoid billing based on historical maximum consumption.