Construction of overhead tanks aimed at mitigating drinking water scarcity in this Silk City in south Odisha, have been affected because of land-related problems.
The Government planned construction of 24 overhead tanks, 11 underground reservoirs and installation of 208-km long pipes in the town to solve the water supply related problems in the city.
The cost of these projects was estimated at about `59 crore, two years ago. The project cost was now revised to around `97.03 crore, official sources said.
The project was going on at a snail’s pace because of the non-availability of the land of the public health department to construct the overhead tanks, sources said.
“We have identified the lands for constructing the overhead tanks. Four overhead tanks are already there and 20 more will be constructed. The land for construction of 13 of them is required,” said executive engineer, public health department Brahmapur P K Mohapara.
On behalf of the department, he would apply for the transfer of land from revenue to public health department. “The water supply in the town will help facilitate proper supply of water to different parts of the town,” said Brahmapur MlA R Chyaupatnaik.
“The tender process will begin only after the land is transferred. So I have asked them to start the process of handing over of the land soon,” the MlA said. The construction of the overhead tanks is expected to solve the severe water crisis in different parts of the town.