Inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Touted as 24×7 water supply project, but now facing serious financial irregularities’ allegation

The project, inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 4, 2024, was hailed as a pilot initiative under the Smart Cities Mission to provide uninterrupted, pressurised water supply to Manimajra residents. However, nearly a year later, residents allege that the water supply has never functioned 24×7 and that they continue to receive muddy and low-pressure water.

Residents say no regular water supply even for a day

Pooja Bhajni, a resident of Manimajra, recalled that in the initial days after the project launch, the water pressure was strong enough to reach the fourth floor without a motor. But now, she says, “even second-floor residents need electric pumps to get water”.

Another resident, Naveen Sharma, echoed the concern, saying, “we never got 24×7 water as promised. The supply is irregular and often muddy. Even today, if you fill a bucket, the water looks contaminated. The authorities must investigate the source and fix it”.

Mayor says matter must be probed at ‘highest level’

Chandigarh Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, responding to residents’ outcry and the ongoing inquiry, said, “if something wrong has happened, we need to investigate the reasons — why muddy water is coming into Manimajra homes, and why the 24×7 supply is not functioning. The matter must be investigated deeply and at the highest level possible. We do not want people to suffer by receiving dirty water or inadequate supply”.

The Vigilance Bureau of Chandigarh has already registered a formal inquiry following a complaint by Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra, who alleged gross irregularities in project implementation. Malhotra also wrote to the Union Home Minister seeking an in-depth probe into the misuse of public funds.

Meanwhile, AAP Chandigarh president Vijay Pal Singh has slammed the ongoing vigilance probe, calling it “compromised and directionless”. He alleged that senior bureaucrats and political figures were pressuring investigators and claimed the irregularities — technical, financial, and administrative — were too widespread to have occurred without the involvement of top officials and influential political actors.

The Chandigarh Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu notice of the issue, stating that the project was launched without replacing decades-old pipelines, which may be a key reason for the dirty and unsafe water.

The Commission has directed both the Vigilance Department and the Chief Engineer of the Municipal Corporation to submit detailed reports a week before the next hearing date of July 31. Additionally, the concerned Executive Engineer (XEN) has been summoned to appear in person.