Water supply plan for 75,000 families cleared, but hurdles remain:Project faces uncertainty as no central scheme exists

Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a proposal to provide private water connections to nearly 75,000 families across 829 private colonies, replacing the existing bulk supply system. While the move aligns with a promise made during municipal elections, its implementation appears uncertain due to financial, regulatory and administrative challenges. The proposal, which involves laying new pipelines and installing valves at an estimated cost of ₹874 crore, was cleared by the Mayor-in-Council (MIC) on 13 January 2026 and has been forwarded to the government for approval. “Approval from the Centre is essential as the corporation neither has the funds for such a large project nor the authority to amend the rules,” said Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain. Key challenges that could stall the project No enabling policy at the Centre:
There is currently no provision in central regulations to replace bulk water connections in private colonies with individual household connections. If approved for Bhopal, similar demands may arise nationwide — a precedent the Centre may be reluctant to set. Internal disputes within housing societies:
More than 400 societies are affected by internal divisions among residents. Unless these issues are resolved or the colonies are fully taken over by the corporation, implementing door-to-door water connections will be difficult. Need for strong political backing:
While the proposal has been drafted, securing approvals from the state government and the Centre will be a major challenge. Without sustained political will, such proposals often remain pending in official files. Election promise vs ground reality The plan stems from a civic poll promise to extend private water connections to thousands of households currently dependent on shared bulk supply. However, experts believe the proposal may remain largely on paper in the absence of a supporting central scheme. Former Bhopal Municipal Commissioner and retired IAS officer Yogendra Sharma said that if the Centre approves such a model, it would have to be implemented across the country, making it a complex policy decision. Budget rising, spending falling Despite increasing allocations for water supply, actual expenditure has declined. The water budget has risen from ₹289 crore in 2021 to over ₹300 crore now, but spending has dropped from ₹176 crore to just ₹125 crore. This gap raises concerns about the corporation’s capacity to translate financial resources into on-ground improvements for residents.