As taps run dry, Panchkula residents renew call for upgrade of water supply system

The residents of Sector 15 have again raised strong objections over what they described “acute” and “erratic” water supply conditions. They accused the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) of years of neglect and failure to ensure adequate water pressure and duration during fixed supply hours.

The Citizens’ Welfare Association (CWA) issued a detailed press release highlighting the worsening situation, urging top HSVP officials to intervene.

According to CWA president SK Nayar, neighbouring Sectors 6, 7 and 8 receive full-pressure water supply for the complete eight-hour duration—four hours each in the morning and evening.

n In contrast, Sector 15 residents say they often receive barely an hour of water supply, with those living on the first and second floors “completely deprived” due to extremely low pressure.

The situation deteriorated sharply on November 15, prompting a series of anguished messages from residents on the CWA WhatsApp group. “Inside the house, there is no water in any tap. Taps run dry. Pitiable conditions,” wrote one resident, adding that if this was the situation in winters, summers will be “unimaginable.” Another member called for accountability, writing, “Officials today will get their transfers by summer… or they must be given compulsory retirement.”

Residents criticised the state of infrastructure, claiming that dilapidated tubewell motors and neglected equipment were behind the crisis. “Authorities expect residents to pay bills on time, but basic services are not maintained with the same responsibility,” a message read.

The recurring need for residents to remind authorities was another major grievance. “If providing drinking water requires daily reminders, kindly inform us,” wrote resident Vinay Sharma, adding, “We will fix a reminder time so officials can ‘wake up’ and start the supply—even if it is just a trickle.”

Nayar, general secretary Sunil Jain and members VK Jain, AK Walia and others, have formally written to HSVP Chief Administrator Chander Shekhar Khare, seeking a meeting. They have also demanded a permanent, engineering-based solution—the construction of an overhead tank within Sector 15 in particular, arguing that underground tanks alone cannot maintain uniform pressure for the densely populated area.

Residents also expressed frustration at the lack of response from HSVP. “There are no comments from their side,” said VK Jain, while another resident added, “In this world of AI, we are still struggling for basic needs.”

CWA has warned that continued neglect may compel residents to hold a public meeting inviting the Chief Minister to address the “decades-old issue”. The Association has urged HSVP to provide a clear roadmap for strengthening the water supply system immediately, calling the present situation “highly condemnable” and “unsustainable for a sector with over 20,000 residents.”