Prayagraj: The construction of a Rs 273-crore water treatment plant for supplying drinking water to 10 newly added wards of Naini has fallen significantly behind schedule, prompting Divisional Commissioner Dr Lokesh M to seek action against the officials responsible for supervision. During an inspection on Saturday, he found that only 20-25% of the project had been completed against the expected progress of around 60%.The water supply scheme for Naini extended area is being implemented by UP Jal Nigam (Urban) to provide treated water to the 10 wards added to Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) in 2021. Under the project, water will be drawn from Yamuna through proposed intake wells and transported through pipelines to the treatment plant before being supplied to the extended area.During the inspection, not a single worker was present at the site. Officials also failed to produce the attendance register. The concerned AE, Raban Gangwar, was on leave, while the AE present in his place could not provide satisfactory information about the project’s progress or workers’ absence. Officials said workers had gone home for the Rakshabandhan holiday.The project was awarded on July 18, 2024, and is scheduled for completion by July 2027. Executive Engineer Amit Raj said the executing agencyhad already been debarred by the chief engineer (Purchase), UP Jal Nigam (Urban), on June 17 due to slow and unsatisfactory progress. The divisional commissioner directed that a recommendation for an adverse entry and transfer of Gangwar be sent to the govt.He also directed Prayagraj DM to coordinate with departments concerned to secure the pending NMCG permission for the intake wells, so their construction can begin.The commissioner also inspected the Rs 186-crore, 50 MLD sewage treatment plant in Naini, where 77% of the work has been completed. Originally due by July 3, 2026, it is now targeted for completion by Dec. Last year’s severe flooding had delayed construction.
