Pithampur industries unlikely to get Kshipra water soon

INDORE: Audhyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN) would soon be inviting tenders for appointment of project consultant of Narmada Kshipra river link project in a bid to fulfill water requirement of Pithampur industrial area. Though the government is trying to address the situation it is unlikely that Pithampur industries would be able to get water anytime soon.
“Process is likely to begin by next week and we are hopeful that in ten days tenders would be invited. State government has not been able to appoint an agency as consultant to handle bid process and manage and supervise whole project. So we would be re-bidding this time,” a senior official from AKVN said.
However, with Simhastha 2016, slated to commence from April 22 to May 21, hopes of more than 850 industries in Pithampur industrial area for water will have to wait for more than a year. As crores of pilgrims are expected to attend this religious fair and water in Kshipra would be crucial, there appears to be no chance of water being released or diverted for any other purpose.”
“Earlier too government had invited bids but no one was able to fulfill eligibility criteria laid down by Delhi-Mumbai Industrial corridor development corporation (DMICDC). Time taken by government agencies for approvals will almost take more than a year if it works out this time. Adding to the woes of industries, Simhastha-2016 would further delay the process,” said Gautam Kothari, president, Pithampur industrial association.
Karam Dam and Sanjay (Jalashay) are the two sources which fulfills water requirement of industries having a capacity of 32.4 MLD (as per official figures).
“Water bodies have dried up due to summer. We are helpless and it’s not that we are not supplying water to Pithampur industries. There should be sufficient water to meet the requirement. Narmada-Kshipra project will solve the problem but government procedures do take time,” said a senior official of AKVN on condition of anonymity.