Two projects that will considerably improve supply to meet the growing water needs of the city and estimated to cost Rs.500 crore are likely to be funded by the Asian Development Bank.
The two projects are laying a pipeline from the Raiwada reservoir — 58 km away from the city — and a new water scheme for the north-west parts of the city.
They are proposed to be taken up with ADB funding, Municipal Commissioner Pravin Kumar has said.
A long-term plan to augment supplies is needed as the total demand gap by 2030 is estimated at a yawning 150 mgd. The gap is growing because of the increasing domestic needs and industrial supply, taking into view the expansion of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the coming up of Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor that would lead to further demand from the Achyutapuram and Nakkapalli areas.
While 25 mgd of water is released through the Raiwada canal, only 12 to 13 mgd is realised owing to evaporation, pilferage etc.
With the water project for the northwest parts, comprehensive supply for the entire city will be in place.
Both the projects had been proposed under the JNNURM but did not materialise.
While 170 mgd is released from the Yeleru reservoir carrying water through the 158-km canal, the final realisation is about 75 to 80 mgd.
Mr. Pravin Kumar told reporters the Yeleru pipeline project that would bring the 170 mgd was estimated to cost Rs.2,000 crore and later escalated to Rs.2,200 crore.
“But now, optimisation of cost is being taken up through VISWCO and to bring down the cost to Rs.1,500 crore,” Mr. Pravin Kumar said.
ADB likely to meet the estimated cost
of Rs. 500 crore
