Siliguri: The second phase of the much-anticipated mega drinking water project in Siliguri is set to begin shortly, following the issuance of a work order on Friday. With a total budget of Rs 304 crore allocated for this phase, the project aims to tackle the growing water scarcity issues that have plagued the region for years.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb convened a meeting with Public Health Engineering (PHE) department officials late on Saturday to ensure that there are no delays in the project. The discussion revolved around conducting a survey of the current pipeline network, as additional pipelines will need to be laid across different wards in the city. To facilitate this expansion, an additional Rs 76 crore has been sanctioned.
“The work order has been given for the second phase of work. We are hopeful that by 2026, the drinking water problem in Siliguri will be somewhat resolved,” said Mayor Gautam Deb.
Water supply has been a persistent challenge in Siliguri, with many residents experiencing irregular or inadequate access to drinking water. To address this, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has already constructed an alternative intake tank, and the first phase of the mega drinking water project is currently underway.
The second phase of the project will see the construction of a large pond for water storage, which will play a crucial role in the overall water distribution process. Water will be sourced from Gajoldoba, treated at the Fulbari Treatment Plant, and then distributed across the city via a pipeline network.
With a total project cost of Rs 511 crore, the mega drinking water initiative is one of the largest infrastructure projects undertaken by the SMC to solve the city’s long-standing water supply issues.