Gurjar promises end to water woes in Faridabad

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 30

Despite a change of guard in the state, shortage of potable water plagues lives of Faridabad residents. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar Sunday assured them of speedy action to solve the problem.

He said a loan for Rs 100 crore would be given to complete the pending Ranneywell water project. He was speaking at a function in Greenfields Colony. He was the chief guest at a function organised by the Residents Welfare Association of the colony.

He said the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state would leave no stone unturned to deliver results, especially those related to basic amenities and facilities to residents. He admitted that the problem in supply of potable water was a major issue.

He said the local municipal corporation had not been able to complete the Ranneywell water project within the time limit due to paucity of funds. He said the authorities had made arrangements for Rs 100-crore loan from HUDCO.

The minister assured residents that the colony would be brought under the control of either HUDA or the municipal corporation for the purpose of civic maintenance. One of the largest residential hubs with over 5,500 plots, the colony was unattended in terms of civic amenities, said Akash Gupta, a local resident.

The municipal corporation had launched Rs 495-crore water project a few years ago, but missed several deadlines thereafter. The project was scheduled for completion in October last. The delay had resulted in acute water shortage in several areas with residents depending on private agencies for water supply.

The drinking water was substandard with its TDS level much higher than the limit, said Anup Chaudhary, a local resident. He claimed that this had led to growth of a water mafia. Over 98 per cent drinking water samples had failed the laboratory test in the last one year.