No check on illegal submersible pumps in Patiala

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, September 26

Illegal installation of underground submersible pumps has become common in Patiala even as the city gets clean drinking water provided by the Municipal Corporation. The menace leads to over-exploitation of underground water. Meanwhile, the state project to provide Patiala city canal-based clean drinking water is underway.

The installation of submersible pumps at houses has gone unchecked for long. While the Municipal Corporation does not initiate a drive to stop it, residents install and run the motors freely.

A number of illegal connections have been installed at the Chhoti Baradari shopping complex as well.

The water pumps run throughout the night at times, leading to wastage of ground water.

Similarly, such submersible pumps have been installed at houses in the city’s areas where Municipal Corporation has provided water supply.

A resident of Preet Nagar here said, “People have installed submersible pumps at their houses despite they are getting supply of clean drinking water from the Municipal Corporation. People don’t tend to complain and as such the violation goes unchecked.”

An office-goer at Chhoti Baradari pointed out, “The water supply from the MC is not provided at a sufficient speed. When we complain of low water pressure, MC officials themselves suggest us to install pumps.”

Municipal Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur said, “No special drives are launched to check illegal installation of submersible pumps. We, however, issue challans if we get complaints. We have also removed such motors from private places.”