Murky water, stinks too

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 8

Come summer season and residents of various localities, as usual, start complaining about contaminated water being supplied to them. There had been four major outbreaks of water-borne diseases, three cholera and one hepatitis E, in the city last year, which affected more than 1,200 residents.

Residents at Sekhewal Road, Jawahar Nagar, Labour Colony, Bahadur-ke-Road and other areas have complained of contaminated water supply. Besides, choked sewers have increased the risk of contaminated water supply at Giaspura, Dhandari Khurd, Dhandari Kalan and Prem Nagar.

A group of residents at Jawahar Nagar said sewers generally remain choked, resulting in mixing of sewage with water supply through leaking pipes.

Residents of Labour Colony said they expected that the new MC House would address their decade-old water supply problem. Though the MC has laid new water lines, these have not been made functional yet, they said.

Former councillor Kapil Kumar Sonu said: “I have also complained to the MC officials about contaminated water supply at Jawahar Nagar and Labour Colony. Besides, the tube well in the area has stopped drawing water after it developed a snag. Water is being supplied to us through tankers.”

Bhairaj Singh of Sekhwal said: “I complained to the MC authorities about contaminated water supply on May 17. The MC staff visited our area but they could not detect the fault. The complaint is pending. I came to know that the tube well in our area was non-functional.”

“I have complained multiple times about the contaminated water supply and choked sewers at different areas, including Deep Vihar and Khajoor Colony in Ward No. 2. The MC officials should ensure safe drinking water to avoid outbreak of any disease in future,” said Gurmail Singh Jajji, councillor of Ward No. 2.

No chlorination devices at tubewells

It was learnt that there were no chlorination devices at most tube wells located in parks or open spaces. A resident, Davinder Singh, said: “The problem of contaminated water supply keeps recurring at Sherpur as the authorities have failed to find a permanent solution. Every family can’t afford to purchase water purifiers.”

Will take up complaints on a priority basis: MC

Executive Engineer Nachhatar Singh said: “New water pipes have been laid in Labour Colony but some residents have not taken connection from the new lines. However, we have planned the installation of new water supply and sewer lines in the area. If people complain about water supply, we will take immediate steps.” 

Superintending Engineer Rajinder Singh said: “We have alerted our staff to take action on water contamination complaints on a priority. The staff have been given instructions to ensure cleaning of sewers and road gullies. The chlorination is being done properly to ensure safe drinking water supply to residents.”

Mayorspeak

I have instructed MC officials to ensure safe drinking water supply. If there is any complaint of contaminated water, the officials will arrange safe water through tankers. The officials have also been asked to ensure proper chlorination of water. — Balkar Singh Sandhu, Mayor