Despite minister’s assurances, water woes persist in Dwarka

Samad Hoque

New Delhi, July 14

Despite assurances from Water Minister Atishi regarding the resumption of water supply following a breach in the Munak Canal, several parts of Dwarka went without water for the fourth consecutive day, causing inconvenience to residents.

The Delhi Government and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had said on Saturday that the water supply would normalise in Dwarka from Sunday after restoration work was undertaken following the breach at a sub-branch of the Munak Canal on Thursday morning. However, residents refuted these claims.

In a post on X, the Water Minister said on Saturday, “The repair of the embankment of Munak Canal was completed on Friday. Haryana released water from Kakroi head at 10.30 am on Saturday. This water will reach Delhi by 1.30-2 pm. The Dwarka water treatment plant will start functioning from 4 pm and the water supply will resume in Dwarka tonight.”

Similarly, the DJB had said water supply was expected to normalise in the area on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the residents of Dwarka are still reeling under a water crisis. The WhatsApp groups of Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) have been buzzing with questions about when the supply would be restored.

A resident said they either have to fetch water from tankers or borewells and for drinking, everyone is buying bottled water cans. “We are struggling for a proper water supply despite paying bills,” said the resident on the condition of anonymity.

An RWA member, Pramod Kumar, said the DJB had stated on Sunday morning that the water supply would begin at 9.30 am. However, he noted, “It is now 3 pm, and we are yet to receive water. Our reservoir is left with only 1.7 ft of water. We don’t think we will get any water today either.” He added that DJB officials told them that the water tank is yet to be filled, which would then supply water to five command tankers of Dwarka sub-city and further to area reservoirs.

“The reservoirs take at least 10 hours to fill, and each reservoir supplies water to two or three societies. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain whether everyone will receive water today,” the RWA member said.

When contacted, Delhi Jal Board officials did not respond to the query.

Reservoirs take at least 10 hours to fill

The reservoirs take at least 10 hours to fill, and each reservoir supplies water to two or three societies. Therefore, it is difficult to ascertain whether everyone will receive water. — Pramod Kumar, RWA member