Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Release Funds For Repair  & Maintenance Of Existing Water System  In ... on 10 September, 2007
> Title : Need to release funds for repair & maintenance of existing water system in Darjeeling, West Bengal.
SHRI D. NARBULA (DARJEELING): I thank Centra! Government for sanctioning for Drinking Water Project in Darjeeling. About 100 years ago the British had constructed two lakes-the North Senchal lake in 1905 and the South Senchal lake in 1932. Rain water or spring water are stored to supply drinking water to the entire population of Darjeeling throughout the year. Besides the rainwater there are as many as 23 springs from where water is being brought to these two lakes through conduit lines. These conduct lines were also constructed by the British, which are not maintained properly, and therefore these conduit lines are in a very deplorable condition. The pipes which were laid down by the British to carry water from these two lakes to the Filter House at Jorebunglow is also in a dilapidated condition which also needs either to be replaced or to be repaired thoroughly.
The Darjeeling drinking water project of the Central Government will take more than two years to be completed. The crises of drinking water in Darjeeling during this period can be sorted out by repairing these conduit lines and by replacing the old pipes from Senchal Lakes to the filter house at Jorebunglow for which an additional amount is required. I, therefore, urge upon the Central Government to sanction an additional sum of Rupees five crores for the maintenance of those springs, conduit lines and the pipelines which will help to solve the drinking water crisis of the people of Darjeeling till this Central Government project is completed.