Water is vital to life, maintenance of ecological balance, economic development and sustenance of civilization. Planning and management of water resources and its optimal use are a matter of urgency for most countries of the world, and even more so for India with a huge population.

Punjab State covers an area of about 50362 sq.km. and is located in the northern part of India. The State has a sub tropical, sub-humid continental monsoon climate and experiences south easterly summer monsoon. The total rainfall has an average of 95-100 cm in sub mountainous districts i.e. Ropar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur and 33-43 cm in South Western Districts. The State has three major rivers i.e. Sutlej, Beas and Ravi. Ghaggar is another river which drains through the State and leads into THAR desert of Rajasthan. The State has a favourable hydrologeological set up with the result groundwater occurs as one of the important resource and is being tapped for irrigation and public health water supplies for providing drinking water. In the South Western portion of the State, drinking water supply is provided by surface water through a canal network which in turn receives water from the major rivers of the State. In the central and northern districts of Punjab, drinking water supply is provided through public health tubewells which generally tap the shallow as well as deep aquifer system of area. The growing population and expanding economic activities exert increasing demands on water for varied needs-domestic, industrial, agricultural etc. On the other hand, quality of water resources is getting degraded with increasing urbanization and industrialization.

Concept

Providing potable water to all households in villages.

Objectives

To supply drinking water to households through private connection and stand posts.

Project Components

Construction of tube wells and distribution system for supply of water at household and community level.

Major Features

The project is being implemented in five districts viz., Patiala, Ropar, Nawanshahar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur. The total number of villages benefited are 218. The project also includes a community participation component known as Village Support Team (VST) with RIDF loan of Rs. 30.00 lakhs. This component has been sanctioned for this particular project only and aims to create awareness among the people on effective utilization and conservation of water.

The implementation of the project is ahead of its schedule especially in the South wing. The Department expected to complete all its 61 schemes by 30 June 2002, whereas sanctioned phasing was up to 31st March 2003.

The beneficiaries/panchayat representatives are satisfied with the water supply project and coverage of distribution network laid by the Department. The beneficiaries were thankful to NABARD's financing for such Noble cause and to the implementing department for undertaking the work at faster pace.

60 to 70% households were ready to go for private water connections by paying enhanced tariff.

To prevent water losses at public stand posts, the panchayats have agreed to pass a resolution to authorize the implementing departments to close those stand post where leakage's are observed even after corrective measures such as installation of new taps etc. are taken up.