According to senior officials, the decision in this regard was taken in a meeting following regular complaints by consumers against the inability of the MC officials in providing clean drinking water. “There were some tubewells that were running dry due to the receding water table, and others had faulty pipes,”officials told Newsline.

Following a meeting of the Finance and Contract Committee (FCC), MC has given a green signal for the setting up of 10 more tubewells.

“We have approximately allocated Rs 1 crore for the water system while the project is expected to cost a little over Rs 1.5 crore,” stated Patiala Municipal Commissioner MP Arora.

Senior functionaries of the MC said that once the new tubewells are set, the city’s water woes will be taken care of, with ample supply of pure drinking water for the city residents.

“Areas like Punjabi Bagh, Gian Colony, Sewak Colony, Lehal, Green View Colony, Sant Nagar and many other areas have been facing water problems in the past. But with the new connections there will be no water shortage,” an official said.

“The new tubewells would also have chlorinators fixed on them for the provision of hygienic water”, said the Commissioner.

“Some extra money has been earmarked for water pipes for each tubewell, so that there is no problem with the laying of fresh pipes”, he added.

Patiala Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, meanwhile, said that funds will not be a constraint in providing better facilities to residents.