Five new tankers will ensure uninterrupted water distribution during supply shutdown days, enhancing civic preparedness.

The Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has introduced five stainless steel water tankers to ensure a steady supply of drinking water during a planned two-day water supply halt, stated a news report. Mayor Gautam Deb inaugurated the new fleet on Thursday, highlighting its importance in serving residents across various wards.

The tankers, which are each with a capacity of 3,000 litres, will distribute water during the supply shutdown on Friday and Saturday, explained an SMC official explained. The stoppage is due to the operationalisation of a new intake well at the Fulbari water treatment plant, which sources water from the Teesta canal.

The SMC has allocated ₹10.67 lakh for the tankers and, in collaboration with the state Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, will deploy an additional 30 tankers to cover the city’s needs. Alongside, two lakh water pouches will be distributed through the civic body’s borough offices.

To address long-term water supply challenges, SMC officials have initiated a ₹512 crore drinking water project under the Amrut 2.0 scheme. Once operational, this project will increase the daily water supply from 50 million litres to 130 million litres, significantly bridging the demand gap.

The civic body is also taking steps to prevent unauthorized water connections. A task force has been set up to disconnect illegal connections and take action against violators.

The new initiatives, including the stainless steel tankers, mark a step forward in ensuring better water management and supply reliability for Siliguri’s residents.