Bhubaneswar: Ending uncertainty over operationalisation of Water Corporation (WATCO), the body is likely to supply drinking water in Bhubaneswar, Khordha and Jatni from November this year.

The WATCO is expected to be fully operational after Durga Puja i.e. from November as the state government has sanctioned 69 posts for it on Thursday.

"The government has sanctioned posts for the WATCO. It will be functional very soon. We are planning to pay the water bill dues that are pending in the divisions," Public Health Engineer Organisation (PHEO) Engineer-in-Chief S. Laxmipati told 'Sambad' yesterday.

If the dues remain pending in few divisions, it will be transferred to the PHEO Bhubaneswar, he added.

Notably, the government has appointed S. Laxmipati as the Managing Director (MD) of WATCO. Along with him, an official in rank of Superintending Engineer level-II and another official have been appointed as the directors of WATCO in operation and project sections respectively.

Sources said that the staff and document exchange process will be completed very soon for functioning of WATCO office.

With operationalisation of WATCO, the state government will provide financial assistance for the next years. While Rs 60 crore will be sanctioned for WATCO as subsidy in the first year, the government will provide half amount in second year and 25% subsidy in the third year. From fourth year, the WATCO will have its expenditure record, an official source said.

However, the drinking water bill will be costlier than the existing system after the PHEO hands it over to the WATCO.

The government has decided to fix Rs 11.26 per unit for commercial connection and Rs 3.95 per unit for domestic plan. The water bill will be four-time higher than current charges for having drinking water in the city and on its outskirts.