Annual dry run begins

The Centre has approved Augmentation of Water Supply Scheme Phase V and VI that would enhance the water supply to the city. According to the scheme,an additional 40 mgd water will be supplied to the tricity,of which the city will get 29 mgd and the remaining will be distributed to Mohali and Panchkula. However,with a decision on the amount of water the Punjab government is willing to release to the city not being reached,the wait could be really long.

This,when the city receives 285 litres per capita daily (LPCD) water as against the national norms of 150 LPCD. According to officials of the Municipal Corporation,the transmission losses touch 28 per cent. And the city needs 35 mgd water to keep its large number of parks and greenbelts in perfect shape. While shallow tubewells have been installed in some greenbelts; and,in others,tertiary-treated water is being supplied,around 7 to 8 mgd fresh water is required for irrigation purposes. Apart from the civic body’s requirement for irrigation,residents also regularly water their lawns. The ban imposed by the MC on washing cars and watering lawns in the morning seems to be ineffective.

The ever-swelling population has meant the situation is becoming all the more grave. A number of rehabilitation colonies have come up in the recent times,and the population in the southern sectors has increased exponentially. The IT Park has been developed and new shopping malls have come up,consuming all the more water. This means frequent breakdowns and erratic supply.

The MC has approved the provision of metered connections in all the rehabilitation colonies; the move is likely to reduce wastage of water. Officials say the project to provide tertiary-treated water,upon completion,would also help save drinking water. Till then,residents can do little more than wait.

Mohali no better
Mohali is short of 7 mgd (million gallons daily) water for drinking purposes. The shortage figure has shot up to 10 mgd in peak summer (May to July). Presently,28 tubewells and water from Kajauli serves the needs of 3 lakh residents settled in the 23.86-square km area of the town. The town gets 10 mgd canal water and 3.2 mgd water from tubewells. But the figure comes down in peak months. The only long-term solution to install Phase V and VI Kajauli waterworks,which will supply 40 mgd canal water ,seems a distant dream as GMADA,while citing shortage of funds for undertaking the project approved exclusively for Mohali,had referred the project to Centre for funding under JNNURM. The Centre’s nod is awaited. Work to install 15 new tubewells to generate 1.5 mgd is yet to begin.

Panchkula too battles shortage
While officials maintain that there is no shortage,droplets trickling from taps belie their claims. Sectors 12A,18,19,15 and parts of Ramgarh and Sector 25 are facing severe shortage. In sectors like 6,8,9 and 10,those residing on the upper floors are the worst hit. The 160 tubewells used to supply water to the district seem to be of little use. Officials of the Haryana Urban Development Authority are defensive about any shortage and said that areas facing erratic supply will be taken care of. Officials are looking forward to completion of Kaushalya Dam,and Kajauli Project Phase V and VI.