Locals complain of erratic water supply

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 9

After the Sirhind canal closure, residents in various areas of the city on Saturday complained of erratic water supply. The authorities have closed the canal till June 20 due to maintenance work.

On Saturday, residents of Ward No. 20 staged a protest against the Water Supply Department and Municipal Corporation and said they had failed to provide water to them in this humid weather conditions.

The water scarcity has affected the day-to-day work of residents. High humidity level has also added to the woes of the residents.

Darshan Kumar Billu, councillor from Ward No. 20, said, “I have apprised the SDO of the Water Supply Department of the problems being faced by residents. But no action has been taken on my complaint. Residents are irked as they have not been getting the water supply for the past 15 days. Residents of Sarabha Nagar, Basant Vihar Nagar, Harpal Nagar and Aggarwal Colony have also been facing water shortage. The condition is such that the residents have to depend upon tankers to meet the demand for water.”

Pardeep Kumar Gola, councillor from Ward No. 42, said, “The water supply to Partap Nagar has been affected due to the Sirhind canal closure. In the evening, residents are not getting water. I have lodged a complaint with the SDO of the Water Supply Department, but to no avail.”

Raja Singh, councillor from Ward No. 18, said, “Residents of Balmiki Nagar and a few streets in Chandsar Basti are not getting the water supply. I have even taken up the issue with the officials concerned on a regular basis.”

Sukhmander Singh, councillor from Ward No. 22, said, “Namdev Nagar, Azad Nagar, Prajapat Colony and other areas in my ward are getting the irrational water supply, due to which residents are upset. The erratic water supply has affected their day-to-day work.”

Residents have questioned the timing of the canal’s maintenance work. They said in the summer season, the demand for water increased and at this time, the canal had been closed.

Ravi Kumar, SDO, Water Supply Department, said there was no water shortage in the city. Residents of low-lying areas were facing some problems, he added.

“Residents living in the areas that are situated at height pump up water with motors, leading to problems in low-lying areas,” the SDO said.