Leaks in old supply pipelines aggravate water crisis in Chandigarh

While the Municipal Corporation is struggling to meet the rising water demand in the summer season, leakages in old supply pipes in many sectors here have aggravated the problem.

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Ravinder Mohan Bhalla, vice-president of Shivalik Enclave Welfare Association, Sector 13, said the residents of the society in Manimajra had been getting muddy water supply for the past four months. They repeatedly raised the issue with the MC officers, but the latter failed to find a solution to the problem. The old pipelines have not been replaced for years. These pipes develop leaks due to the high water pressure. Many people have taken ill due to the contaminated water supply.

Suman Sharma, AAP councillor of Manimajra, said she had raised the issue at all MC House meetings held in the recent past, but the authorities concerned failed to rid the area of this problem. All tall claims about supplying pure drinking water round the clock have fallen flat, she said.

Residents of the Army Welfare Society flats in Sector 47-C said they were facing an acute shortage of water. Despite tall claims of the Administration about its plans to provide 24X7 supply, they have been facing water shortage for a long time. The problem aggravates in the summer season. Around 70 per cent residents here are senior citizens.

They claimed that they approached the department concerned for a solution to the problem. The staff visited the site on many occasions but failed to resolve the issue.

Hitesh Puri, chairman of Chandigarh Residents’ Associations Welfare Federation (CRAWFED), said the MC had to prepare itself for the future needs of the city. Low-pressure water supply has become a major problem. Old pipelines have to be replaced.

In southern parts, people are forced to use motors to fill up their tanks. This is putting extra financial burden on them, said Puri.

Sanjiv Chadha, a resident of Sector 21 and president of Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said the water crisis was a wakeup call for the MC. A plan for the next 20 years will have to be prepared to meet the water needs of the city. He said the water crisis was deepening day by day. The water supply barely reaches the upper floor houses.

There is a shortfall of 15 to 20 MGD of water against the demand of 110 MGD during the summer season in the city. It is receiving 87 MGD of water at present. The officials concerned said the demand increases by 15-20 per cent in the summer season.