Punjab CM reviews World Bank aided water supply scheme

Chandigarh, Apr 19 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has directed the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation to start construction work in 37 pilot batch villages for the launching of the Rs 1280 crore World Bank aided Punjab Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project.

He gave these directions after with a World Bank team led by Mr G V Abhyankar called on him here today. The scheme which was cleared last year was given its nod by the state government yesterday after the World Bank officials discussed the broad outlines of the project with Public Health minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

Mr Badal said that the project would be implemented in all 20 districts of Punjab, adopting sector wide approach irrespective of the source of financing. The project on completion after five years would benefit a rural population of 74 lakh.

The project objectives, scope and the emphasis on participation of the village community in implementing and managing water supply and sanitation schemes were also discussed in the meeting.

The estimated cost of the project was Rs 1280 crore, with the World Bank providing Rs 751 crore and the state government giving Rs 245 crore. The share of the central government would be Rs 207 crore and community contribution would be Rs 77 crores.

UNI