Open House: What needs to be done to ensure proper power and water supply in the summer?

Solar panels the way out

The population of City Beautiful is on the increase. This  has resulted in a shortage of all resources including the power and water. The use of water and power increases with the increase in temperature. In order to meet the requirements for power, solar panels should be installed as early as possible. It is a wise decision to install plants at all the government buildings and bigger houses. The city administration should take the lead in empanelling the vendors for installing the plants. Further the projects for water harvesting should be taken on priority. Watering of plants and washing of cars with water hoses be banned during the day time.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Upgrade pipes to avoid leaks

Water Conservation, rainwater harvesting, collecting and recharging groundwater to reduce dependence on external water sources are some of the easy way out to preserve water. Efficient water management by setting up smart water management systems with sensors to detect leaks and optimise water usage can also go a long way. Conserve potable water and create tertiary water by recycle used water to water plants and lawns. It is of paramount importance to fix leaks and upgrade aging pipelines to prevent water loss.

Capt Amar Jeet, Kharar

Regular upgrade of infra

To ensure uninterrupted power and water supply during peak summers in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, authorities must urgently upgrade infrastructure and adopt proactive demand-management strategies. Investing in decentralised solar power systems can ease grid pressure, while water harvesting and recycling initiatives should be mandated in all housing societies. Timely desilting of canals and maintenance of pipelines will curb wastage and improve distribution. Smart meters and AI-based monitoring can help balance loads and detect faults swiftly.

Amanjot Kaur, Mohali

Modernise power grids

To address the power and water crisis in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, authorities must adopt a multi-pronged approach. Upgrade infrastructure by modernising grids, fixing leaky pipelines and installing smart meters to curb wastage and ensure equitable distribution. Boost renewable energy adoption, especially solar power, through subsidies for rooftop panels and decentralized solar plants to reduce grid dependency. Enhance rainwater harvesting by mandating systems in residential and commercial buildings.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Multi-pronged approach is essential

To ensure proper supply of power and water to tricity residents during the summer season, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Firstly, authorities must enhance power and water generation capacities through better infrastructure, tapping renewable sources like solar energy, and optimizing existing plants. Simultaneously, effective maintenance and timely repair of supply lines can prevent unnecessary losses. Public awareness plays a crucial role—residents should be educated on the importance of conserving electricity and water, especially during peak summer months.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Smart meters and sensors key

Investing in a smart grid equipped with advanced technology is essential for ensuring efficient power transmission and equitable distribution with minimal losses. However, before this, all the transformers, sub-stations and distribution lines should be upgraded to enable them to handle higher loads, which will reduce failures. Smart meters and sensors should be installed with an emphasis on automation while simultaneously exploring renewable energy resources. The public needs to be motivated to conserve energy through incentives.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Crackdown on power thefts

There is wide spread theft in various forms in the City. The power distribution company should go all out to snap kundi (illegl) connections and under reported power consumption by consumers. The preventive maintenance of all infrastructure should be carried out within April.  The company should also enter into long term power purchase agreements with the power producers to augment the power availability throughout the summer season.

K C Rana, Chandigarh

Increase random checking

Illegal connections should be checked and guilty to be punished. Second, freebies should be discontinued. Power saving and water conservation should be there at micro and macro level. Third, good habits for power saving like switching off lights especially in the office should be encouraged. Fourth, random checks at public gardens to be done for water logging while pipes are on for a long time. Drip irrigation at public gardens, solar panels for electricity are few steps which will conserve power and water. Public awareness through campaigns, posters should be done to minimise the wastage.

Harveen Singh, Chandigarh

Make the switch to LED Lights

As the summer season sets in, it is obvious that there will be a surge in electricity and water demands. To prevent crises, sustainable measures such as closing of taps when not in use, switching of electric appliances when not needed must be adopted. Moreover, energy consumption can be curbed, curtailed and controlled by using energy efficient appliances, replacing old light bulbs with LEDs. For the proper and perfect supply of water, water management and conservation must be practiced. Emergency water storage solutions like rain water harvesting and watershed management must be considered.

Arpita Anand, Chandigarh

Promote energy-efficient equipment

A transition to cleaner energy sources is needed by decarbonising thermal power plants with necessary upgrades, integrating renewable energy into the central power grid, promoting energy-efficient equipment manufacturing which lags behind Japanese energy-efficient models, and raising public awareness about optimal room temperatures for ACs can account for increased power demand amid upcoming summers in India.

Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh

Better coordination needed between depts

Tricity’s annual summer ordeal of power cuts and water scarcity is no longer a surprise—it's a systemic failure on repeat. What we need is not crisis management but crisis anticipation. Authorities must invest in robust grid infrastructure, decentralised solar energy, and water harvesting systems to decentralise supply pressure. Equally vital is equitable distribution—urban villages and low-income areas must not bear the brunt of elite overconsumption. Rainwater harvesting must be enforced, not optional. Smart metering can curb wastage, and public awareness campaigns should foster responsible usage. Moreover, inter-departmental coordination must move from paper to practice.

Divyansh Gupta, Panchkula

Small lifestyle changes can go a long way

The administration seems to lack vision and a proactive approach as the issue comes up invariably every year. There is a provision to disconnect water and power connection if the consumer fails to pay the bills in time. But who will penalise the concerned departments for depriving the citizens of the facilities which is their entitlement. Washing cars by using pipes should be strictly curbed, ACs in houses and offices should be used sparingly. Some small changes in lifestyle can go a long way in ameliorating the miseries..

Yash Khetarpal, Panchkula

Incentivise rainwater harvesting

With the summer season approaching, the need for water and power also increases. Authorities must gear up to take effective steps to repair all leakage of water supply external pipe lines and overflowing of water from water tanks due to non-working of float valves. Power must be saved by switching off points not in use. At the same time authorities must provide subsidies to residents for rain water harvesting and solar power techniques to improve production of power and saving water by recycling.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

A balanced approach is required

The Municipal Administration is cutting electricity and even imposing hefty fines on water wastage. Such moves carry grave risk. Instead of cutting electricity, the solar energy project should be encouraged with some newer incentives. Cutting of water supply is also bizarre. To prevent wastage, awareness camps should be ubiquitously held and frequent vigilance and checks should be done to ensure water preservation. Rainwater harvesting should be thoroughly encouraged. In short, the Administration should fix this matter in a way in which both man and nature are content.

Akshansh Thakur, Chandigarh

Start using water responsibly

The wastage of water is something that needs to stop. As it is said, we don’t realise the mistake until we face it. But, why are we not solving it when we know we are on the urge of facing it? Rainwater harvesting is a good way to solve the issue. Plus, instead of throwing away the waste water we can give it to the plants. Moreover, changing the daily practices like turning the faucet off while brushing can lessen wastage. In WH Adens’ words: “Water is the soul for earth”. Let's protect our soul together.

Tisha, Panchkula

Fix aging infrastructure

To curb and control the water and power shortage crisis, we must adopt strict, stern and stringent measures. Solar-powered systems, smart metering and sustainable storage can ease the power burden. Leak detection sensors, rainwater harvesting, and reuse reforms should be made mandatory in high-rise societies, schools and public institutions. Authorities must penalise wastage, fix aging infrastructure and promote public participation through awareness drives and conservation campaigns.

Shaurya Bhumbri, Chandigarh

Need increased vigilance

Increased vigilance and proactive governance are crucial in tackling the crisis. Overflowing overhead tanks often go unnoticed, especially in rear lanes, leading to massive wastage during peak pressure hours. In heritage sectors and older structures, undetected leaks not only waste water but also threaten the stability of buildings. The MC must track such anomalies through billing patterns and act swiftly. Rainwater harvesting, solar power adoption and public awareness can further strengthen resilience.

Naresh Kumar Vasisht, Chandigarh

Increase the green cover

Unscheduled power cuts and low water pressure has left people fretting and fuming. Problem may worsen as temperature soars. Residents have been calling water tankers to meet water requirements, which is a costly deal. Authorities are charging exorbitant water and electricity bills but facilities provided do not accommodate with charges. Freebies like free electricity or water is compounding the crisis further and should be completely ceased. The need of the hour is to bring more area under green belt which would help to balance rain. More muddy land will seep more water, helping restore underground water. We need to start looking at things in the longer run.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Need to become energy efficient

Appliances like dishwasher, washing machines etc. should be used judiciously as it will help save water as well as power. Power can also be saved by using appliances that are Energy Efficient. Electronic items like mobiles and laptop chargers, tube lights etc. should be turned off when not in use. Using natural light during the day should be encouraged. It should be a collective responsibility of the people as well as the authorities to ensure the proper and just use of our resources.

Garima, Mohali

Water reuse must become household habit

With scorching summers scorching supply lines, tricity’s troubles are mounting. Frequent power cuts and water woes are worsening due to rising demand and poor planning. Solar-powered systems, swift repair of faulty lines, and scheduled supply rotations are essential. Rainwater harvesting and water reuse must become household habits. Authorities must act fast, fixing flaws and funding sustainable solutions. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Residents and administrators must unite to conserve resources and combat the crisis — before the heatwave turns into havoc

Devanjana, Chandigarh