BERHAMPUR: The Chief Minister last year laid the foundation stone for Janibili project aimed at solving the water crisis of Berhampur city. Exactly a year after, the State Government has not been able to find a funding agency for the project.
The `415-crore project is slated to draw water from Janibili diversion wire, about 47 km from here, through underground pipes.
The Government had conducted a survey to bring water from Janibili reservoir in Soroda to Berhampur. Water from Soroda comes to Dakhinpur reservoir and from there it is supplied to the city. Since the water is supplied through open canals, 80 per cent of water goes waste.
After the survey, the State Government approved the Janibili project aimed at bringing the water through pipelines. After the Chief Minister laid the stone in June 2013, it was planned to avail funds from Hudco, but so far the corporation has not agreed, said Public Health Executive Engineer Prasant Kumar Mohapatra.
As per the project plan, the water drawn through pipeline from Janibili would be stored at the treatment plant at Dakhinpur before being supplied to the city.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Department has written to the State Government for a special division to be headed by an assistant engineer.
The proposal has been accepted and the division would be opened soon, said Mohapatra.
He was hopeful that Janibili project would start as soon as the Government approves opening of the division.