An official said on Monday the canal would help supply adequate quantity of water for the growing population of Gurgaon. The state government has spent Rs 322 crore on its construction.

At present, Gurgaon gets 175 cusecs through the Gurgaon Water Supply Channel. Other than this channel, deep tubewells meet Gurgaon’s thirst for water.

The 71-km NCR Channel originates in Kakroi in Sonipat district and ends in Chandu Budhera, Gurgaon. About 600 cusecs will go to Gurgaon and IMT Manesar, whereas the remaining water will be supplied to proposed townships in Bahadurgarh, Sampla, Badli and Kharkhoda.

Irrigation department officers said 30 cusecs was released into the channel during a trial run to test the concrete linings. They said 56 culverts and bridges were constructed on this channel.

It took six years to build the canal after Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced its construction on September 13, 2006. Since then, Gurgaon’s population has ballooned, but water supply remained a trickle.

Officials said acquiring land for the canal took two years and construction actually started in September 2008.

The Gurgaon Water Supply Channel’s capacity was raised from 100 cusecs to 175 cusecs.

Water from this canal is stored in three sites in Basai, where it is treated before being fed into the supply network.

Deputy Commissioner P C Meena said the government has also decided to spend more than Rs 43.54 crore on tubewells, a supply system and rainwater harvesting. In addition, Rs 15.75 crore will be spent on various water-related facilities in the current fiscal.

In the height of summer this July, Gurgaon residents were forced to spill on to the streets in protest against water shortage and erratic supply.