Monsoon and heavy rainfall are ongoing across different parts of Punjab state, and during this time, it is expected that the residents and citizens of Jalandhar might witness inconvenience as the Surface Water Project is about to commence, which will result in the digging of six major roads.
According to reports, the Municipal Corporation has approved the pipeline work on these roads, and it is estimated that the construction and repair work will be conducted on a road spanning a total length of 4.5 km. As per the schedule offered to the government, the work on the roads will start within the next seven days.
It is to be noted that this new project commenced during the time when eight roads are already witnessing digging and are in poor condition with muddy patches and potholes, which are risky for the commuters. And the problems might increase with the start of the new projects.
BSF Chowk
Dilwan
Dhogri
Nakodar Road to Kapurthala Chowk
Middu Basti
Lyallpur Khalsa Road
Manbro Chowk
The reports have outlined that under the Surface Water Project, the authorities are planning to lay a total of 98 km of pipelines, and out of the total, 58 km of pipelines have been installed. Along with this, a 15.5 km main supply line was planned to be laid in the city, of which 14.7 km has been installed.
It is worth mentioning that the construction work in various regions has been halted due to unpleasant weather and heavy rainfall.
Dakoha Gate to Dhannowali Railway Crossing – 900 meters
Shastri Chowk to BMC Chowk – 1,605 meters
Vedmata Colony to Dhannowali – 360 meters
Nangal Shama Chowk to Laddewali Road – 600 meters
Qazi Mandi to Domoria Bridge – 394 meters
Madan Floor Mill Chowk to Arjun Nagar – 550 meters
The primary drinking water line will be linked to 650 pre-existing tube wells of the Municipal Corporation, which are serving the purpose of supplying water bi-daily at the moment. Because of their nature of interconnectedness, the supply will still be twice daily despite the new main line connection. The 24/7 water would be available only after implementing Phase 2 of the project.
The initial deadline, which was on completion of the project, expired in September 2023, and since then, the sewer board has added time and pushed the deadline to December 2025. The agency has also sought an extension up to March 2026, which has not been approved yet by the authorities of Chandigarh. Failure to be done within the revised schedule attracts penalties to the agency.
In the meantime, the 2-year-old Phase-2 of the project is awaiting a nod that will cost the government 615 crore. It entails the installation of new pipelines through 551 km of city streets. Although there have been six reminders, the approval has not been received as yet. Any additional developments now take place only after the new government is installed.
Two years later, Phase-1 is yet to be completed, and Phase-2 has not commenced; therefore, affected residents have to prepare to encounter more difficulties-waterlogging, muddy roads, and potholes that are increased by rains and construction works.
