File picture of the Naraj barrage in Cuttack

Cuttack, Aug. 16: Access to pipe water remains a far cry for all residents of the city.

Delay in preparation of detailed project report for the public health engineering department’s plan to supply additional 100 million litres water per day to the entire municipality area of the city has stalled the project.

The department had conceptualised the Rs 324-crore water supply augmentation plan three years ago.

The tender bid for preparation of the Phase-I report within three months was finalised in November 2011. But, it was submitted for government approval and allocation of funds last week.

With no work being done since 2010, except for preparation of the Phase-I report, the project still remains in the planning stage and a deadline is yet to be fixed for start or completion of work. “The report for Phase-I, estimated to cost around Rs 86 crore, was submitted for government approval last week. The drawing and design will be taken up after getting the approval along with allocation of funds,” executive engineer of the public health engineering (Cuttack division) Arun Nayak told The Telegraph today.

The project aims to erect 25 overhead reservoirs and draw water from the Mahanadi and Kathajodi rivers, apart from a water treatment plant over 15 acres at Naraj for supply of another 100 million litres per day in addition to the 115 million litres being supplied now.

“In Phase-I, construction of an intake well, a treatment plant and pumping stations will be taken up,” Nayak said.

“Distribution points, overhead tanks and pipelines installation will be taken up in Phase-II. We will shortly invite tender bids for preparation of its report,” he said.

“Work is under way to change old lines and extend the distribution network by installing new lines in areas deprived of pipe water. The plan will ensure pipe water to all the 54 wards in the corporation area,” he said.

An official said the existing water distribution network had a capacity to cater to less than 3.5 lakh population, when the city’s population had increased to over six lakh.

“There has been progress in supply of pipe water in my ward by construction of two bore well points in the past five years. But, 80 per cent of the residents still have no access to pipe water here,” said councillor of ward No. 52 Pradip Behera.