Indian city to implement drinking water project

Indian Government-owned Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) has sanctioned Rs4,150m ($67.3m) for implementation of a potable water project in the Odisha state.

The project will solve drinking water problems in the Berhampur city, especially during summer.

HUDCO will provide the loan for the project after state government approval, official sources told PTI.

HUDCO intends to have the Odisha government as guarantor for the loan, which will be extended at an interest of 10%.

Berhampur Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) R C Chyaupatnaik was quoted by PTI as saying: "We hope the government will remain guarantor for implementation of the project; a longstanding demand of the city."

Odisha state government is yet to take any decision, according to a senior officer.

Once operational, the scheme will draw water from Janibili diversion wire through underground pipelines.

The scope of work under the project will involve construction of a water treatment plant with daily capacity of 75 million litres and a 37km water supply pipeline.

Subsequently, the water treatment plant capacity will be increased to 200 million litres of treated water daily, to meet the demands of the city.

Currently, the city draws water from Dakhinapur reservoir and Rushikulya water supply system to meet demand.