Non-functional tubewells spell water shortage
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 23
While those living in the posh areas are being challaned by the MC for wasting water, there is a segment in the city who is forced to hold protests and dharnas as they have been without water for the past more than three days. As many as 13 tubewells are non-functional in the city.
Residents of EWS Colony and Kishore Nagar, on Tajpur Road have not received regular water supply for the past more than 48 hours. They raised slogans against the MC for its failure to provide them with this basic amenity.
Ranbir Singh, an area resident, said the government might be claiming tall about developing city into a smart one but we are living in hellish conditions without water. “In the acute summers, you can imagine life without water. But the authorities remain unmoved till the time protests are lodged. The situation has slightly improved, still there is a scarcity of water in the area,” he said.
As per the data available with the department, on May 23, more than 12 tubewells in the city were non-operational and there has been no supply of water from these tubewells.
One of the MC officials said during summer, the demand for water increased manifold. “Many tubewells need repairs and maintenance as these are too old. Not all tubewells can be replaced in one go. These will be repaired one by one, depending on funds/availability of staff. Regular water supply has been restored to EWS Colony and Kishore Nagar. We are repairing other non-functional tubewells as well. These will be functional withini a few days,” said the official.
