Question : WATER SUPPLY FROM BISALPUR AND BUDHAPUSHKAR JAL YOJNA IN AJMER

(a) whether the Railway take water from both the Bisalpur and Budhapushkar Jal Yojna in Ajmer;

(b) if so, the quantity, name of those places from where water use to be taken and the rate therefor;

(c) the reasons for not taking full quantity of water from Bisalpur Jal Yojna by the Railway Factories;

(d) whether water level of Pushkar Sarovar and its nearby villages has been depelete drastically due to continuously taking water from wells of Budhapushkar by Railways;

(e) if so, whether any representation has been received from the villages of Ajmer division for not taking water from Budhapushkar; and

(f) if so, the reaction of the Railways thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b):(i) Bisalpur Jal Yojna – 2800 kilo litres per day at the rate of Rs. 11.80 per kilo litres and

(ii) Railway’s source – 1700 kilo litres per day.

(c): Railway services are essential in nature so it cannot be dependent on one source alone, that too outside agency. Railways are having their own source at Budha Pushkar from where water is being drawn for more than 100 years. Supply of water through Bisalpur Jal Yojna is not very reliable. Whenever there is any problem in water supply through Bisalpur Jal Yojna, Railway is the first affected party and in turn the passenger services get adversely affected.

(d): No, Sir. Water level of Budha Pushkar which is a natural spring is approximately 18 metres higher than Pushkar Sarovar and this cannot be a cause of depletion of water level if any, at Pushkar Sarovar. Depletion of water level may be due to scanty rainfall in the area in the recent past.

(e): Yes, Sir.

(f): Railway has taken up the matter with the State Government at the highest level and a letter has been written by the Minister for Railways to the Chief Minister, Rajasthan.