Bids for water grid works to be opened today.

The bids for tenders of main works in connection with the prestigious water grid programme of the government to provide safe drinking water to every household would be opened today.

They were uploaded on website by the e-tendering process since August 24 and the bidders were given 14 days for the purpose.

The government had invited tenders for the works, mainly laying pipelines, costing Rs. 10,163 crore. Works relating to construction of intake wells at a cost of Rs. 17,087 crore had started initially and, now, civil works and pipelines were taken up. Construction of reservoirs, including both ground and overhead, sumps, water treatment plants, pump rooms and staff quarters also form part of the works in this phase.

A senior rural water supply official said the Rs. 36,355 crore programme envisaged laying main pipeline over 36,000 kms and pipelines connecting villages and households over another 40,000 kms. The latter works, however, would not be grounded now. The survey of the pipe network was completed.

It was proposed to supply 100 per cent pure and treated water at the rate of 100 litres per person, per day in gram panchayats, 135 litres in municipalities and 150 litres in municipal corporations.

A status paper of the government said of the 24,802 habitations in the State, water at the rate of 55 litres per capita, per day was supplied to 100 per cent population in 7,480 habitations so far and partial population in 15,980 habitations.

The quality affected villages were 1,342.

A total of 39.272 tmc ft of water, including 19.65 tmc ft from Krishna and 19.622 tmc ft from Godavari basins, was required for the implementation of the project. About 166 MW of power was needed to pump water.


THE HINDU