Scarcity may spoil SAD-BJP prospects

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 6

The supply of drinking water in colonies under the Municipal Corporation, Patiala, continues to be one of the major issues when it comes to the civic body polls, scheduled to be held on December 17. While the Congress blames the SAD-BJP combine of doing nothing to solve the problem, SAD leaders claim credit of the canal water project, which is in the pipeline.

Even though Municipal Corporation authorities claim that water-related complaints are being disposed off on priority, resident face water-related every summer. Terming the steps taken by the MC insufficient, residents of several localities in the city flayed the civic body for not paying any attention to their complaints.

“We will keep water woes in mind while voting this time. Every summer, we stand in long queues to get a bucket of water," said Sarita, a peon at a school.

Every summer, Shera Wala Gate, Gian Colony, Sewak Colony, Desi Mehamandari, Rajpura Colony and Factory Area are some of the localities where residents face an acute shortage of water. Still, their issues remain unaddressed.

“Normally, we get water supply twice a day-an hour each in the morning and evening. The situation improves marginally once the media highlights the issue but soon things are back to square one, once the media forgets the issue," claimed Gurdeep Singh, another city resident.

“The canal-based water project is our brainchild. It is in the pipeline for want of some clearances," said Mayor Amrinder Bazaz. “We tried our best to improve the water supply. New tubewells were installed to tackle the problem," he added.

A shopkeeper in Model Town, Jatinder, said: “By issuing statements that the indiscriminate use of Tullu pumps has led to a shortage of water in some areas, the authorities are running away from their responsibility”. While blaming the Patiala MC for not taking concrete measures to solve the problem, he added, “We get water, but for just half an hour and that too with very low pressure. In order to meet our domestic needs, many a times, we travel to other areas with buckets in our hands."

“I assure you that the supply would improve once the Congress takes over the Municipal Corporation. raised this issue many a times. We are seeping votes on the issue of starting the canal-based drinking water project," said former leader of the Opposition Sanjiv Bittu.