Govt nod for Rs1300 cr water project for Greater Mumbai

New Delhi: Residents of Greater Mumbai can hope for a better water supply with the Centre on Thursday approving a Rs 1,300 crore project to make available an additional 455 million litres of water daily within the next four years.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gave approval for the Greater Mumbai-IV--Middle Vaitarna Water Supply Project that will cost of Rs1,329.50 crore.

"The project will supply 455 million litres per day after completion," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters and added the project will be in operation from 2011.

The government approved release of Additional Central Assistance to the extent of Rs 465.33 crore (35 per cent of the cost of the project) under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

While the state government grant (15 per cent) has been fixed at Rs199.42 crore, a sum of Rs 664.75 crore (50 per cent of the cost) will be provided by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

The municipal corporation presently has availability of 3,203 million litres per day water from different sources situated at a distance ranging from 80-160 km from the city.

The projected demand for water in these areas is estimated at 3,814 million litre per day in 2011.

The project will also reduce dependence on the costly private water supply through tankers in the city, an official release said.