Bhopal to get Narmada water from June 2009

Bhopal, Sep 11 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh capital's denizens would begin receiving much awaited Narmada river water from June 2009, state Commercial Tax Minister Babulal Gaur said today.

''On completion of the Rs 274-crore Narmada Water Project, this city's 27.5 lakh plus residents will receive 150 litre per person.

Water charges will remain unchanged until the Project's completion,'' he told reporters here.

Half the project cost would be borne by the Centre that already sanctioned Rs 60 crore, a third of which was received by the state, the Minister explained.

''The government approved tenders invited under a single package by the Narmada Project Board as per a Supreme Court ruling dated September 6, 2007. The Project is a joint venture involving Pune-based M/s Kirloskar Brothers Ltd and others,'' he added.

A pipeline of 1.4 m radius would be laid and a model, built would be tested. The Railway paid Rs 67 lakh as a pipeline is being laid near the local Habibganj underbridge. Three acres of private land and five acres of revenue land were acquired at Hirani village near Shahganj, Mr Gaur explained.

''A tank of two crore litre capacity will be constructed in the Assembly premises. The Project's Board office and seven other offices have been formed and officials posted,'' he said.

UNI