Sambalpur, May 2: A 19-km long pipeline will take potable water to the far-flung areas of the city.

The public health engineering department will lay the pipeline to cover the areas under the water supply network. Besides, a 4MLD (million litres per day) water treatment plant will also be set up for this purpose.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 38.81 crore. "Apart from the new pipelines and the treatment plant, three overhead tanks and four underground sumps will also be built as part of this project. Once this is done, we will be able to supply water to the uncovered areas of the city," said executive engineer of the department M.R. Nanda.

The project will be implemented under the Centre's Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns. The state government will also provide funds for the project. "The project tender will be floated shortly. Six firms have been qualified to take part in the tender process. The proposed water treatment plant will be set up at Ainthapali," said Nanda.

At present, two water treatment plants - one at Bareipali and another at Modipara - are used to supply water across the city.

While the Bareipali plant has a capacity to treat 42MLD, the Modipara plant can process 11MLD. Though city requires water around 28MLD, several areas are debarred of getting it due to the poor distribution network.

"Several newly developed residential areas, including some parts of Dhanupali, Bhatra, Sunapali, Mahabirpara and Ainthapali, are yet to be covered by the water supply pipelines. The distribution network will improve as the project finishes," said an official.

"The city is expanding rapidly. Several new colonies have developed in the past few years. Besides, several new areas have also been merged with the city to upgrade it to a municipal corporation. The new project will be a boon for the people residing in those areas. The department should expedite the process and finish it at the earliest," said local resident Debadutta Satpathy.