Minister for Housing and Urban Development Sudhir Sharma has said the state government has sanctioned developmental projects worth Rs 50 crore for Dharamsala. Sudhir, who listened to public grievances here today, said the town would finally get relief from water shortage. The Union government had cleared the Rs 31-crore water augmentation project for Dharamsala. It was the biggest water augmentation project for any municipal council in the state, he said. It would be after about three decades that sufficient amount had been sanctioned for water augmentation of the town. The minister said under the new project, water would be sourced from the Gajj river for Dharamsala. Twelve new water tanks would be constructed to store and treat the water sourced. Besides, 30 points to supply water in various areas of the town in case of fire emergency would also be constructed. The minister said presently a dispute arose as some residents alleged misuse of drinking water for commercial use by hoteliers. Under the new project separate lines would be laid for commercial and domestic water connections. The minister further said drinking water supply in Dharamsala was 65 litres per capita per day. People got just two hours water supply a day. However, after the new project was implemented, the per capita water supply would increase to 135 litres per day. He claimed that each household would then get water for six hours per day. The project would benefit a population of 38,000 in Dharamsala and its surrounding areas. It was expected to be finished within three years. Officials said in case the work started soon, it would be completed till 2016, the minister said.