MC reduced canal water supply to Manimajra, says firm; writes to Guv
The SBE Infrastructure CSCL Pvt Limited has alleged that the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, has reduced the canal water supply in Manimajra. In a letter to Gulab Chand Kataria, UT Administrator, last month, the company had requested him for issuing directions to the MC to increase the canal water supply, so that it could provide 24×7 water supply in the area.
The Chandigarh Smart City Limited had allotted the work of 24×7 water supply project in Manimajra to the SBE Infrastructure CSCL Pvt in 2021 after completion of tendering process. The company in the letter said that the canal water supply to Manimajra is continuously decreasing. It says that in December 2024 they received an average of 5.06 MGD of water, while during April and May 2025 it has dropped to around 4.4 MGD. As per design and calculations of the project, Manimajra requires 7 to 8 MGD for efficient 24×7 supply. The authorities concerned have already been apprised of this critical shortfall, but the issue has not been resolved. Providing the required canal water is part of the terms and condition of the project.
The company also raised the issue of unauthorised water use in Shastri Nagar, Manimajra. The company said that Shastri Nagar area, which is outside the scope of its project, draws about 0.5-0.6 MGD of water from the Manimajra system. This unaccounted demand adversely affects the company’s pumping capacity to provide adequate pressure in the basin.
It further said that in Bank Colony, about 50 houses were reportedly drawing water through illegal connections. In zone 3 (Indira Colony), about 70-80 slum houses are drawing water under the cover of stand posts. “Several cases of parallel connections have also come to light. We have already submitted the list and supporting evidence to the departments concerned. However, no action has been taken till date,” it stated.
The company further said that even after completion of all milestones, the department had shown negligence in releasing the payment for the completed works. Due to the delay in payment, they are facing problems which are badly affecting the work.
The company requested the Administrator to look into the matter and organise a meeting of all concerned officers to resolve the above matter as early as possible. The company said that all component-wise and milestone-wise works of the project had been completed and had been successfully handed over to the department as per the provisions of the contract agreement. It further said that from December 2024 to March 2025, continuous pressured water supply in all the designated areas was successfully started. The average supply hours during this period have been consistently between 16 to 18 hours per day.
The project was inaugurated by Union Home Minister in August 2024. As part of the project, two underground water reservoirs, each with a capacity of 2 MGD, have been constructed by the firm. Besides, 13,700 water meters in Manimajra have been replaced with ultrasonic smart water meters to ensure a smart billing system. The trial run of the project was completed on November 10, 2024, and defect liability period has started.
Chandigarh