A survey conducted by Kalimpong municipality suggests that the hill town currently receives 2.5 million litres of water per day when it needs 9 million litres per day, over thrice the amount it gets.

The disparity points to not just water scarcity but to the lack of systematic collection and distribution of potable water in town.

“Following a survey, it has been observed that during the present lean period, the town receives 2.5 MLD (million litres per day) only, when the required volume is actually 9 MLD,” said Rabi Pradhan, administrator, Kalimpong municipality.

The survey was conducted by the municipality to draw up a detailed project report for a Rs 196.57 crore water project approved by the Centre under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 project.

It is estimated that around 80,000 residents reside in the 23 wards of Kalimpong. The total number of registered households with the civic body stands at around 12,000.

“Given the present situation, a new system through a four-stage pumping from Bhalu Khola up to the reservoir till Deolo has been recommended,” said Pradhan.

At the moment, water is drawn from the springs at Thukchuk which is about 30km from town.

“There are water leakages while bringing water from Thukchuk. Moreover, water from one of the springs of the area is used for distribution in rural areas of Pedong,” said Pradhan.

According to the new suggestions, pumping houses are to be set up in four places to pump water to the two reservoirs at Deolo.

“Plans are also afoot to set up more tanks across Kalimpong,” said Pradhan.

The civic body plans to increase the number of storage tanks to 37 from the present 17.

Many residents in Kalimpong civic body said that until now they largely depended on neighbourhood streams for water.

“There is no systematic drinking water distribution system covering the entire civic area,” said a resident. Many residents channel water from these streams to their houses in rubber pipes.

Kalimpong apart, the Centre has also approved a Rs 199 crore drinking water scheme for Mirik, another hill town.

Anit Thapa, chief executive, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), laid the foundation stone of a Rs 77 lakh drinking water supply scheme at Giddapahar in Kurseong on Sunday.