Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan 23: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Former Member of Parliament, has appealed to the Chief Secretary to fast-track the implementation of Stage-II of the Rutland Water Supply Project, along with the extension of Phase-I.

This vital step is crucial to ensure a sustainable and adequate water supply for the people of Sri Vijaya Puram and surrounding areas and also meet the escalating demands of tourism industry and population growth in the region.

In a letter submitted to the Chief Secretary, Mr Sharma expressed his appreciation for the successful completion of Phase-I of the Rutland Water Supply Project in December 2021, which has already made a remarkable impact by addressing the severe water crisis faced by Sri Vijaya Puram and surrounding areas.

The Phase-I initiative, tapping into five perennial water sources, now provides 6.60 Million Liters per Day (MLD) of water, bringing immense relief to the residents. However, with the growth of tourism and the increased water requirements, especially with the addition of the new airport terminal, there is an urgent need to scale up water production to meet future demands.

The former MP emphasized the critical importance of proactive measures in light of the impending effects of climate change, including the anticipated rise in global temperatures and the El-Nino phenomenon. These factors are expected to strain existing water resources, making the expansion of the Rutland Water Supply Project a timely and necessary initiative, he added.

The key proposal involves tapping into five additional untapped perennial water sources on the western side of Rutland Island, which could boost the water supply from 6.60 MLD to 12.60 MLD, thus enhancing the water availability for the region.

In addition, the proposed Phase II of the project on the eastern side of Rutland Island, involving the development of five untapped perennial sources, has the potential to generate an additional 10 MLD of water, bringing the total supply to an impressive 22.60 MLD.

Mr Sharma outlined the specifics of the proposed works, which include constructing check weirs, laying HDPE and carbon steel pipelines, building new water tanks, and upgrading pump houses. Furthermore, the entire water distribution system will be automated for efficiency, ensuring a seamless and reliable water supply system.

Once completed, the Rutland Water Supply Project will meet approximately 67% of the current daily water requirements of Sri Vijaya Puram (33.50 MLD), ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted water supply, particularly during peak demand in the summer months.

Kuldeep Rai Sharma urged the Chief Secretary to conduct a detailed feasibility study and expedite the execution of both the Phase-I extension and Phase-II proposals to address the rising water demands of the region for the next 15-20 years.