Page 132 - Sugam Sarita

water-stressed cities of Hubbali-Dharwad, Belagavi, and Kalaburgi; a

follow-up project, the Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization
Project, is now scaling up to cover the entire population of the three
cities.

Even though residents must pay for the water they consume, the

cost for “lifeline usage” (up to 8-kilo litres) is set at levels that poorer
households can afford. Water connections at the household level
are subsidised so that poorer families can benefit from the increased
services.

3. The Shimla Water Supply & Sewerage Service Delivery
Reform Project:

Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh’s mountainous state, has a
similar narrative. Due to dwindling water supplies, fast population

expansion, and an increase in the number of visitors visiting the
resort town, the city only received water for a few hours every three
days. Shimla Water Supply & Sewerage Service Delivery Reform
Project improvements have guaranteed that the city now receives at

least 3-4 hours of water service per day, with attempts underway to
convert to 24x7 supply. All of this has been accomplished not just by
repairing the pipes, but also by repairing the institutions that repair
the pipes. The World Bank initiative helped to fund the creation of

a professionally managed water service that is directly accountable to
residents.

To conclude, river revival is a long term but a possible measure. It
a s sustainable solution and requires a strong will power. It is each

citizen’s duty and participation which will make the revival possible.

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