With a fiscal deficit of 1.32 lakh crore, the Punjab government has an uphill task to maintain state's civic services. As per the latest report of fifth Punjab Finance Commission, the state would need over Rs 30,000 Crore to maintain its water, sewerage, sanitation, roads and bridge system.

The report indicated a major up gradation to be done both at the level of the state government and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to provide improved quality of life to the people living in Punjab's urban areas. Therefore, the arrangement of adequate funds to secure these goals should receive priority attention of all the stake holders.

As per the latest estimates, accessed by The Statesman, the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) would require Rs 9,516 Crore for achieving complete coverage under water supply, sewerage, Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), repair of damaged roads along with repair of machinery during the next four to five years.

Adding to it, there will be a large requirement of funds for providing partial coverage under storm water drainage, solid waste management and construction of roads, bridges and provision of street lights and sanitation.

"Taking into account the above factors, the Commission has worked out the requirement of funds for ULBs over the next five years. The projections of estimated expenditure under each head have been made. The annual spread of these investments has been worked out in consultation with the PWSSB. These works are designed to be completed by 2020-21 provided the required funds are made available to the board," said the report.

The estimated cost of worth over Rs 4,000 Crore on operation and maintenance on water supply also include expenditure on salary and wages of employees. Similarly, for Storm Water Drainage an annual investment of Rs 100 Crore has been estimated by the Commission. In case of Solid Waste management, state would need at least Rs one thousand Crore as per the estimates.  

To upgrade state's Roads and Bridges, Sanitation, Street lighting, Fire services, Development of slum areas including debt servicing, other capital expenditure and miscellaneous expenditures, the Commission has estimated an expenditure of over Rs 10,000 Crore.

It is not only the case with Punjab's urban infrastructure, but the rural roads are also crying for an immediate attention. Punjab government would need Rs 2,900 Crore to repair rural roads of total length of 2,300 kilometer. A total of 13,030 villages have a road connectivity up to 61,436 kilometers out of which 2,300 kilometer needs the immediate repair.