Machines get rolling in Sitlee Plant

Com reviews trial run of 5.4 MGD Plant

Trial run of Sitlee Intake III has started with the rolling of pumping machines meant for lifting the water from Tawi river for further discharge into the 5.4 MGD Filtration tank, also in its final stage. With this, stage is set for the commissioning of Sitlee Filtration Plant within a month augmenting the water supply to old Jammu and Roopnagar areas thereby ending the long wait of the Jammuites.

To take on-the spot review of the trial run the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal along with Chief Engineer, PHE, Mr. V. K. Abrol today visited the Sitlee Intake III and Filtration Plant site. The engineers of PHE department and JKPCC were also present on the occasion.

The four pumps installed at the Intake III were run before them, which would lift the water from the Tawi river. The water will then be sent to pre-sedimentation tank, flocculation tank, filtration plant and then finally sent through pipes to Manda and Lohar reservoirs for further distribution to old Jammu city, Roopnagar and Raipur- Domana areas.

The Divisional Commissioner was apprised that the 4 metre high pre-sedimentation tank is being filled 100 cm per day as per the laid down norms and would require another 5-6 days for filling it completely after which the testing of flocculation tank and filtration plant which are complete in all respects will be done.

Mr. Abrol informed that after the trial run of the Sitlee Intake III and 5.4 MGD Filtration Plant, the capacity, strength and stabilization of water pipes laid by PHE to carry the water from the Plant to Manda and Lohar reservoirs will be tested and the entire process will be completed within a month as committed to Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah. He said that so far, Rs. 35 crore has been spent on the third stage of the Plant, adding that the commissioning of the Plant would address the water problems of most of the areas of Jammu city including those like Roopnagar and Domana which have been facing acute water scarcity.

Mr. Kotwal said the government is committed to augment the water supply in Jammu region and every effort is being made to complete the project within this month. He said at present, the total water requirement of Jammu is 37 MGD and 27 MGD is already being supplied to the people by PHE department. Besides, he said that in the last six months, 25 new tubewells constructed by ERA have been commissioned adding another 6 MGD to the available water supply. Apart from this, 1.8 MGD additional water is being lifted from Tawi river making the total water availability for Jammu region, 30 MGD, he added.

Mr. Kotwal reassured that the work on Sitlee Intake III and Filtration Plant is going on as per schedule and with its commissioning within days, another 5.4 MGD will be added leaving a shortfall of mere 2MGD. He hoped that the PHE department will be in a position to supply water to the different areas atleast once a day and even twice a day to some places ending the water crises in the region.