Rohtak residents grapple with shortage of drinking water

Sunit Dhawan

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Rohtak, February 12

Even though the summer season is yet to start, residents of Rohtak city are already facing scarcity of drinking water.

The rationing of water is underway, with potable water being supplied once instead of twice daily in the city, especially in the old town areas.

As per official sources, the increase in demand, shortage of water supplied for drinking and limited storage capacity are the primary reasons behind the prevailing situation.

“Earlier, canals used to supply water for three weeks and remained closed for a week. Over the years, the situation has changed completely. Water is supplied for a week and then the closure/break continues for three-four weeks,” said a source.

Sources said the issue of release of additional water for drinking often got stuck in red tape between the officers concerned of the Public Health Department and the Engineering and Irrigation Department, even during times of crisis.

As of now, several water storage tanks at different waterworks have dried up due to the limited supply and continuous demand of water.

“The duration of water supply has been reduced over the past few days. Power cuts at the time of water supply also causes difficulty,” says Maya Nagpal, a resident of old town area.

When contacted, Superintending Engineer, Public Health and Engineering, Rohtak Circle, RK Sharma said the authorities of the Department of Irrigation had been urged to release 200 cusecs of water for drinking on an urgent basis and they had assured that the needful would be done soon. “We will tide over the crisis with this water. The regular water supply is slated to start from February 18,” he stated.

Questioned about a permanent solution for the problem, the officer said an estimate had been prepared for the joining of the Bhalauth sub-branch canal and the JLN feeder.

“We have also requested the local municipal authorities to provide some space to augment the storage capacity under the AMRUT-2 scheme,” he added.

Demand-supply gap

• 1,37,833 kilolitres Daily water need
• 96,466 kilolitres Water available each day
• 11 days’ stock left in storage tanks

IRRIGATION DEPT URGED TO RELEASE 200 CUSECS

The Department of Irrigation has been urged to release 200 cusecs of drinking water. We will tide over the crisis with this water. The regular water supply will start from February 18. — RK Sharma, SE, Public Health, Rohtak Circle