Final Testing Complete on Shimla’s Rs 500-Crore World Bank-Funded Water Project
Shimla, March 8, 2026 — In a major infrastructural milestone that promises to resolve Shimla’s recurring summer water shortages, water from the Sutlej River officially reached the city’s Sanjauli reservoir on Sunday. The arrival marks the successful completion of a rigorous three-month final testing phase for a massive Rs 500-crore bulk water supply project.
Backed by funding from the World Bank, it is the largest water supply scheme of its kind ever executed in Himachal Pradesh.
Boosting Shimla’s Water Capacity
Historically, Shimla has relied on five aging water schemes—Gumma, Giri, Churat, Cheir, and Ashwani Khad. Combined, these sources yield roughly 40 megalitres per day (MLD), a capacity that routinely falls short during the peak summer and tourist seasons.
According to Rajesh Kashyap, General Manager (Operations) at Shimla Jal Prabandha Nigam Limited (SJPNL), this new project aims to massively enhance the city’s total water supply capacity to 107 MLD.
“Initially, the scheme will provide an additional 42 MLD of water. After 15 years, this capacity will be further enhanced to 67 MLD,” stated Kashyap, who was responsible for designing, contracting, and commissioning the project.
The Engineering and Route
Drawing water from a jack well intake point at Shikrodi in Sunni, the system must overcome steep mountainous terrain. The water is lifted in three challenging stages—via Shikrodi, Dwada, and Dummi—before traveling through a 27.3-km-long pipeline to finally reach the Sanjauli reservoir.
First-of-its-Kind Treatment Technology
Given the high turbidity levels often found in the Sutlej River, the project utilizes state-of-the-art filtration and purification infrastructure. The raw water first enters a massive 21-megalitre settling tank, which is then supplemented by advanced clariflocculators and rapid sand filter units.
Furthermore, the project will be the first in the region to utilize advanced ozone technology for water treatment. While initial disinfection is being carried out through chlorination, the system will be fully upgraded to ozonation within the next six months. A dedicated water testing laboratory has also been established at the Shikrodi source to monitor quality around the clock.
A Win for Environmental Conservation
Work on the ambitious project commenced in October 2020 and has been praised for its eco-friendly execution. While official permission had been granted to fell 1,330 trees to clear the pipeline’s path, engineers innovatively altered the design, raising the massive pipes on anchors and thrust blocks. This green engineering adjustment successfully saved approximately 700 mature trees from being axed.
With testing now complete, local MLA Harish Janartha confirmed that the project will see a formal inauguration shortly.