Chandigarh news: Drive against water wastage rolled out as mercury soars

With the mercury soaring, the Municipal Corporation (MC) on Tuesday launched a drive to curb the wastage of potable water following reports of water shortage pouring in from different parts of the city. It served notices on 180 violators and issued challans to eight.

Under the annual drive, which is undertaken from April 15 to June 30, watering of lawns, courtyards, washing of cars and other vehicles using hosepipe invites a challan with a fine of Rs 5,788 while notices are issued in case tanks, taps, water meters or water coolers are found leaking by MC teams.

Following the orders of MC Commissioner Amit Kumar, the civic body officials have started checking misuse of potable water in the city during the morning hours (from 5.30 am to 8.30 am). Several violators were found misusing drinking water at their houses on the first day of the drive. Most of them were washing their cars and courtyards. MC teams also clicked pictures and made videos of the violations as a documentary evidence.

A fine of Rs 5,788 each was imposed on eight violators.

Those served notices have been asked to get the leakages repaired within two days, failing which they too would be issued challans.

The MC commissioner appealed to the city residents to save drinking water and avoid its wastage. He said people should opt for tertiary treated water for watering of lawns and washing of cars and courtyards.