Chandigarh MC Allocates Rs 5 Crore for Water and Sewer Works
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has earmarked ₹5 crore in its 2026–27 budget to improve water supply and sewerage infrastructure in villages recently subsumed under the city’s governance, signalling a renewed focus on equitable service delivery and utility resilience across urban-rural transition zones.
The allocation, disclosed by senior civic officials, reflects a broader push to integrate essential infrastructure for communities that historically lagged behind core urban wards in basic service provision. Chandigarh has absorbed several peripheral settlements such as Butrela, Badheri, Burail, Attawa, Hallomajra, Dadumajra, Maloya, Palsora and Kajheri into its municipal limits. These areas, while administratively part of the city, have traditionally faced gaps in piped water distribution and sewerage networks — conditions that civic planners say undermine public health, mobility and quality of life. The newly allocated funds will target upgrading water mains, strengthening sewer pipelines, laying stormwater drains, and expanding tertiary water supply systems mapped to population growth and urban expansion patterns.
The budget lines also propose enhancing treated water distribution infrastructure in several other wards now linked to the municipal grid — including Dhanas, Sarangpur, Khuda Alisher, KhudaLohara, and Mauli Jagran — to ensure consistent supply pressure and address historic low-pressure zones. These works are designed not only to extend connections but to build network resilience against system failures and seasonal fluctuations, a crucial consideration in light of rising demand and climate variability. Experts say that investments in water and sanitation infrastructure in peri-urban contexts are essential for climate-resilient cities. Improved piped water delivery reduces dependence on unsafe open wells and borewells, while upgraded sewerage lines help contain contamination and reduce disease risk — outcomes that are particularly important for densely settled communities on city edges. Moreover, well-maintained drainage systems help mitigate flooding during intense monsoon events, which have stressed older utilities in neighbouring regions.
The plan also includes a separate ₹2.40 crore provision to upgrade basic amenities in colonies housing economically weaker sections, where existing infrastructure is strained by population growth and ad-hoc settlement patterns. Civic authorities have indicated that these funds will be used to expand sewerage lines, fix leaks in water mains and strengthen storm drains to reduce flooding and contamination risks in low-income neighbourhoods. Chandigarh’s approach reflects a broader shift in municipal planning toward inclusive infrastructure development — aligning with sustainable urbanisation principles that emphasise equitable access to essential services across all resident groups. For local residents, especially in newly merged village areas, improved water and sewer systems could reduce health burdens, improve daily convenience and support small business activity linked to agriculture, services and informal trade.
However, analysts caution that budget allocation is only the first step. Effective implementation will depend on transparent tendering, timely execution by contractors, and clear community communication about timelines and disruptions. Regular monitoring to ensure quality standards and responsive grievance mechanisms for affected residents will be key to translating the financial commitment into tangible outcomes for all sections of the city.
