Jamshedpur, Dec. 23: Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (Jusco), a subsidiary of Tata Steel, is fast spreading its wings across the country, especially in water and sanitation sectors.

The latest project, which the company has initiated, is a water and sewerage system in Sector V of Salt Lake in Calcutta.

It is said to be the first-ever contract to be given to the private sector by any municipality.

The project was recently assigned to Jusco by Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Jusco officials said the Rs 80-crore project would be jointly funded by the Bengal government and the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) scheme.

“The infrastructure development work has begun for the project. It is expected to be completed in the next 18 months,” said Jusco managing director Sanjeev Paul.

According to the agreement, Jusco would look after the maintenance of the project for 30 years from the date of its completion.

Sector V, the site of the project, is an industrial area.

Most of the industries are that of information technology and information technology enabled services.

Jusco would take care of the water supply and sewerage systems.

Paul said it was a matter of pride for Jusco that it was the first-ever contract given to the company by a municipality.

“We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the project is a success, he said.

Jusco was recently given the contract of laying a drinking water distribution network of 73km in Muzzaffarpur (second phase) on a turnkey basis.

Surces at the private utility compy said the Bihar government fixed an 18-month deadline for completing the work (at Muzzaffarpur), which will be followed by a three-month trial run of the system.

For a nationwide presence, Jusco is set to open offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

It already has regional offices in Bangalore and Calcutta, as well as site offices in Haldia (in Bengal) and Muzzafarpur.