People collect drinking water from a GMC tanker in Fatashil on Saturday. (PTI)

May 13: To play its part as the gateway to the Northeast and Southeast Asia, the city is on a development overdrive. And, to ensure an efficient water supply system — the marker for a well-managed city — the authorities do not mind shelling out a hefty $10 million (Rs 41 crore).

This is the amount to be paid as consultation fees to Tahal Group, an Israel-based engineering firm, that is working on a detailed project report to execute the water supply scheme for the city, an official source said today.

The $400 million project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2010.

In Indian currency, this translates into a whopping Rs 1,640 crore.

The venture calls for consultancy services under two heads — detailed design and supervision of contracted jobs for urban water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage systems of the Guwahati Metropolitan Area, covering an area of 260 square km.

A Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority official said the company would also take into account environmental and socio-economic concerns as part of its assignment.

The contract was signed on February 8 in New Delhi by Meir Shimko, the firm’s managing director, Asia operations and N.M. Hussain, GMDA chief executive officer, in the presence of Ashhu Garg, country manager, India operations, Tahal Group, and Ashish Bhutani, secretary, Guwahati development department.

The first phase of the project will entail detailed planning of the city’s water supply infrastructure with an eye on 2031, when the population will swell to an estimated 3 million.

The first leg began in March and will continue for another six to eight months. It will culminate in a feasibility report for each component, followed by the preparation of detailed designs, tender documents and estimates of construction, operation and maintenance costs.

The second phase, scheduled to begin by the year-end, will take about 30 months. The firm will provide quality assurance and monitoring services as part of its work supervision.