Think long term, act short term, before it’s too late

No doubt, there is a scarcity of water and power in summer. But some steps can be taken to overcome this problem. As the watering the plants is banned, the washing of cars at homes must be stopped in the city in the month of June. Dual flush toilets can be installed at government offices. To save power, the supply to households must be fixed and a penalty should be imposed if the consumption goes beyond that. Parents must encourage children to sit together. Every person should save every drop of water and power. Solar panels must be installed in housing societies.

Anju Behl, Chandigarh

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Devise system to  penalise officials 

The MC has been highly proactive in imposing penalties for even losing a parking slip for which one has already paid but might not be familiar with the word “commitment”. When the public is forced to pay through the nose, the MC must ensure the delivery of services in an appropriate manner or device a policy under which the public must have  right to penalise authorities for not providing basic services. Chandigarh can be the first city where the residents may have the right to penalise the authorities too. 

Upasana Bhargava

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Formulate back-up plan

Summer without power and water makes the life pathetic for residents. It won’t be wrong to say that the UT Administration is biased towards northern sectors where the VIPs live. While the southern sectors are  witnessing long power cuts daily, the UT Administration has never tried to supply electricity from the share of northern sectors. Whenever a power breakdown occurs in northern sectors, the Administration restores the supply by drawing power from sub-stations at southern sectors. This bias is totally unjustified. To get rid of it, rotational power cuts may be imposed in all sectors. The use of solar lights and solar cells must be encouraged. Potable water needs immediate attention as the city lacks a backup plan in case of an emergency. Water mapping needs to be done with immediate effect.

Dr Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh

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Residents’ role important

The water and power crises are the outcome of the non-judicious use resources. The Administration is trying to handle the situation but residents, without having any concern for future generations, waste both resources and then blame the authorities.  Residents should start using these resources judiciously and responsibly. For instance, the water left after washing fruits and vegetables can be used for the watering of plants. ACs can be avoided in pleasant weather and at evening time. Family members may sit together. 

Rashi Srivastava, Chandigarh

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Go for water conservation

Everyone should contribute to saving of water and power. Electricity can be saved by increasing the tariff rate in summer. Solar energy should be promoted in the tricity. A lot of water is being wasted in government buildings and car washing .To check the wastage of potable water, provide tertiary water for gardens and car washing stations should have their own bore wells. Water conservation and rainwater harvesting can be of significant value to improve the level of groundwater. 

Balbir Singh Mathauda, Chandigarh

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Underground water recharging required

Year by year, in summer, the scarcity of power and water is getting from bad to worse, thus adding to  miseries of the public. The authorities make big claims of completing ongoing projects and assure solving the problems, but it is highly deplorable that nothing fruitful appears to be happening. In fact, the population of the tricity has gone up, for which the underground water recharging is needed to meet the demand. No more residential or commercial areas should be carved till arrangements for basic amenities are made. 

SS Arora, Mohali

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Act against irresponsible city residents

The power and water crises can be managed by their judicious use, for which a long-term planning is needed. Immediately, the wastage of power and water should be stopped. It can be achieved by strict implementation of the rules by educating residents and penalising the defaulters.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

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Change mindset

We need to change the mindset of the masses. They should be encouraged to change their lifestyle. Most critical task is to make people understand the magnitude of the problem. They should be told its repercussions, if not tackled properly. Reducing the consumption of water, recycling and rainwater harvesting are some of the ways to save water. Similarly, reducing consumption and depending on daylight for major part of the day and using energy-efficient home appliances are some of the solutions to tackle the power crisis. 

Kamalpreet Kaur, Mohali

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Stop leakage in pipes,  use solar power 

Like every year, the tricity is facing the water and power crises. The supply of water has been inadequate to meet the daily demand. This compels residents to use to use electricity to pump up water in overhead tanks. To improve the situation, the MC should should reduce leakage in water pipes. Instead of iron pipes, those made of polypropylene should be used. The use of solar power can help tacke the electricity crisis. 

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

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Sorry state of affairs

It is very strange and shameful that Chandigarh, known as the City Beautiful and the third cleanest city in the country, is facing an acute shortage of drinking water. Muddy water for drinking purposes is being supplied by the Municipal Corporation. We change the RO filter every 10 days at our own expense. Even power outages are a regular feature. Long-duration power cuts without any intimation are also a major problem. 

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

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People’s participation needed in city  

The Chandigarh Administration can solve every type of problem with the co-operation of the public. It should take every step with honesty and sincerity. It should supply water with full pressure, but for a limited time. It should identify the localities where people misuse water. People should also understand the value of water.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

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Plant more trees, conserve water

The scarcity of water and power in the city can be tackled by their judicious use by residents. Trees can be planted for more rain. Rainwater harvesting should be made compulsory. Water reservoirs should be created. More dams should be constructed at the places, where rainwater drains out without utilisation. Smart water and power meters should be introduced. 

Priya Darsh Growar, Mohali

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Divide city into zones

It is surprising to know that sufficient arrangements have not made by the Power Department and the civic body to tackle the crises beforehand. To deal with the situation, the whole should be divided into two to three zones with a cut in power supply for a limited period. 

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra  

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Rapid increase in population to blame

The water and power crises are not new to the city. Every year, in summer, these problems emerge. Residents are getting regulated water supply. Those residing on the upper floors are the worst hit. Erratic power supply has become a norm. I feel an unexpected growth in the population is one of the major reasons,leading to supply-side constraints. Another reason is that the groundwater level is going down. Steps should be taken to arrest it. There is a need to check the wastage of water. I suggest that residents should used an altered nozzle on taps.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

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Use resources responsibly 

Consumers must  avoid  the wastage of water as well as power. To conserve water, washing of  cars with  pipes, even  in  the evening,  should  be  banned in  May/June. Overflowing tanks  must  be  checked, and   use  of  flushing  cisterns  after urination must  be  avoided. 

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

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Spread awareness, monitor situation  

Chandigarh residents should be made aware of rainwater harvesting. Recycling of water should also be done. VIPs should lead from the front. The authorities should check leakage in water pipes. Defective pipes of those requiring repair should be immediately replaced. Similarly, the supply of electricity needs to be regulated. Crucial places must given priority. The authorities need to closely monitor the supply and use of water and power to ensure that everyone gets at least a minimum essential supply of both.

 RD Singh, Ambala Cantt  

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Water wastage, power outages continue 

The Government of India had accorded approval to Phase V and VI of the water pipeline from the Kajauli waterworks to Chandigarh a few years ago, but the project has missed many deadlines and the city continues to experience an acute shortage of water. One hopes the project materialises soon. However, the criminal wastage of water through leaking pipelines continues, which is 26 per cent of the supply  against the national average of 15 per cent. Smart plugging of this is yet to be taken up under the Smart City project. Also, the supply of tertiary water has not gone according to the plan. This will save potable water. With regard to the electricity supply deficit, what is not understandable is the failure to check outages and fill the vacancies resulting on account of retirement of the maintenance staff.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, former Union Minister

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Make efforts for additional supply  

A shortage of water is not confined to Chandigarh only. The problem is at the national level too. Despite this, the Mayor and the UT Administrator ensured that the Phase V and VI water supply project at the Kajauli waterworks is completed within time. They should try to get additional water from the Ghaggar as well. As for the  electricity  shortage, the Administration should demand more supply from the Bhakra Beas Management Board. The Administration should  also try to set up its  own power plant. 

Satya Pal Jain, former Chandigarh MP

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Lack long-term planning

The power and water  supply situation has been  deteriorating for long. Long-duration power cuts and an unprecedented  shortage of water this summer has  shown that the Administration and the Municipal  Corporation failed  to  provide basic facilities to the city residents. The Administration  has  no vision and lacks long-term planning.

Harmohan Dhawan, former Union Minister

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Round-the-clock water supply soon

The MC is working on three fronts to improve the water supply. The Phase V and VI pipeline project from the Kajuali waterworks for additional supply is almost ready. The  city will soon get  round-the-clock water supply. The MC will also improve the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to have  a close watch on the water generation and distribution system of Chandigarh. The MC has  also been preparing a  project for improving the  tertiary treated  water supply for irrigation  purposes, saving potable water.

KK Yadav, Chandigarh MC Commissioner

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No shortage of power in city   

There is no shortage of power in the  city. To meet the power demand that soared due to the summer season, the Centre has increased the unallocated quota for Chandigarh  from 10 per cent to 14 per cent. This  has given an additional 50  MW  electricity  to Chandigarh this  summer. The power situation will improve after the commissioning of 220kV sub-station near Hallo Majra by Power Grid Corporation of India. A proposal for manufacturing smart grid with smart meters at a cost of Rs 260 crore has been approved by the technical committee of National Smart Grid Mission.  A pilot project worth Rs 36 crore is  being implemented in the Industrial Area. For strengthening the grids, a detailed report, feasible for next 20years, under the guidance of the UT Advisor, has been submitted to the Centre. The project will cost Rs 2,700 crore. Therefore, the Chandigarh Administration is making great efforts to provide uninterrupted power supply at reasonable rates.

MP Singh, Superintending Engineer, Electricity Department, Chandigarh

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Many projects in pipeline

As far as the water shortage is concerned, the  problem occurs every summer, remaining for a few days. In order to solve the problem permanently,  we  had taken the  issue to the Punjab and Haryana High Court a 

year and half ago and got a project  sanctioned,  After that, we also got financial assistance from the Centre for the project. Though the completion of the  project has been delayed a little, it is likely to be completed within the next two months. On the issue of electricity supply, I can only say that Chandigarh will not  have any problem with regard to it as the Union Government has sanctioned  many projects for the city.

Sanjay Tandon, Chandigarh BJP president

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Hollow promises

The water problem can only be solved if the MC prepares a long-term plan. While the BJP leaders make tall claims of providing the uninterrupted water and electricity supply, they failed to do so. Electricity can  be saved  if we promote more and more LED lights. Besides, the UT should also promote solar energy in a big way. The Administration should also restrict the use of air-conditioners in offices.

Pardeep Chhabra, Chandigarh Congress president

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BJP failed to provide basic facilities 

Four years ago, the BJP promised achhe din to people but in reality, it brought bure din for city residents. While the city has been facing long-duration  power cuts, residents are  not  getting  enough water. The people never  faced   such a water problem  in past  many  years. The  BJP government has completely  failed to  provide basic  amnesties  to the  residents. While the residents are suffering due to the water and power shortage, the MC has no money to solve their problems.

Devinder Singh Babla, Leader of Opposition in Chandigarh MC

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Need canal water

I think the solution to water woes lies in the supply of canal water. Spending a huge amount on tube wells is not feasible. The power supply is not a major problem in Mohali. In the absence of rain, the power supply issues do come up.

Balbir Singh Sidhu, Mohali MLA and Punjab Minister

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Wastage to blame

Water sca rcity ithe s only due to its wastage. As per set standards, a person needs 155 litres per day but the supply has been 400 litres per person. That means there is a huge wastage of water. We need to make people aware about it. Secondly, there should be different slabs for water tariffs. We also need a hotline so that during power cuts, the water supply stays intact. At present, the supply of water is interrupted with electricity outages. It takes around half an hour to provide the normal supply once the electricity supply is restored.

Kulwant singh, Mayor, Mohali

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Use water judiciously 

In summer, a of shortage water is always there. People need to use water judiciously. At our end, we are making efforts but people need to avoid water wastage to get improved water supply.

Sandeep Hans, Mohali MC Commissioner

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No crisis in P’kula

There is no water and power crisis in Panchkula district. It is the only district in Haryana where 24-hour power supply is provided. On the water front, Panchkula has sufficient water and recently HUDA has also written to Chandigarh for its share from the Kajauli waterworks. In the recent months, 24 new tube wells have been installed in Panchkula.

Gian Chand Gupta, MLA, Panchkula

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Stop installation of tubewells 

It seems the Panchkula MLA is living in another world. There are regular power cuts and water scarcity in villages. If the mindless installation of tubewells continues, a day will come when there will be no water supply. The MC House on June 14 last year had passed the construction of a sub-surface dam on the Ghaggar, which was a long term-solution to the water crisis, but the authorities did not act. 

Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia, Panchkula, Mayor