Shutting fountains won''t help, let these run: Mayor

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 26

The water crisis in the city has once again exposed the "lack of unity" in the ruling BJP. City Mayor Arun Sood, a BJP councillor, today decided that the MC would not shut the fountains during summer, saying that the potable water supply to these was "very less" and the water was recycled every day.

The Mayor maintained that running these fountains was not a luxury and closing these would not help solve the water crisis in the city.

The Mayor took the decision without any data on how much potable water is being used in the 40 fountains in the city. He has now sought a report from MC officials on how much water is being used in these fountains. However, MC water supply and sewerage disposal committee chief Satinder Singh, also a BJP councillor, differs from the Mayor’s viewpoint.

“These fountains are a luxury and not a necessity, and should be shut immediately," he said. “Last year, when people were 'dying' because of dengue, the MC had stopped the water supply to fountains. I am not saying that the water supply to these fountains should be stopped permanently, but it can be done till June 30,” he said.

Chandigarh Tribune had highlighted that while city residents were reeling under a water crisis, around 40 fountains (big and small) in various gardens, green belts and other parts of the city, which come within the purview of the Municipal Corporation, were getting potable water supply.

Fountains running in Mayor’s ward

While residents of Sector 37, which falls in the Mayor’s ward, had yesterday protested against the poor supply of drinking water in the area, the fountain in Sector 37 was getting the supply of potable water. Interestingly, the protest was held by workers of the youth wing of the BJP against Mayor Arun Sood. Similarly, a fountain was running in Sector 38, which also falls in the Mayor’s ward.

What leaders say

"The water supplied to the fountains is recycled everyday and the need for fresh water in these is very less. Keeping in view the general requirement, the fountains in the city will not be closed during summer. Running fountains is not a luxury and closing these will not solve the water crisis in city." — Arun Sood, Mayor

"Everybody knows the city is reeling under a water crisis. By shutting these fountains, which are being fed with potable water, the MC can spread awareness among city residents about the importance of checking wastage of drinking water. These fountains are a luxury and not a necessity, and should be shut immediately." — Satinder Singh, MC water supply and sewerage disposal committee chief 

"All fountains should be shut during summer. The water crisis clearly shows that the Mayor has no policy in mind to get over it." — Harmail Kesari, city Youth Cong chief

"While residents are not getting adequate water, the precious commodity is being wasted. The Mayor is adamant on running fountains without realising its fallout." — Rajesh Sharma, Cong spokesperson