Poll code leaves city high and dry

But with the model code of conduct in force,which debars announcement and kick-starting of new projects related to public utility,the councillors of the affected wards asked Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya to present a report on the crisis to the Election Commission.

They are seeking permission for boring deep tube wells in the affected areas.

The drinking water-crisis has become so acute in south Kolkata that new tube wells and taps are urgently required to be installed to tackle the crisis,they said.

“The condition is awful. People are suffering a lot because of the low pressure of water in some areas. In Behala,there are places which often go dry and people are forced to buy water,” said Ratna Sur,chairman of borough 13,while speaking in the monthly meeting of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Wards 127,126,128,57,66,67 often go dry due to low pressure of water. To add to the misery,the booster pumping station in Watgange in south Kolkata often malfunctions triggering a huge water crisis in the area.

Bhattacharya,however,said that the civic authorities are looking into the matter. “We have to abide by

EC rules and regulations prior to the Lok Labha polls. We will speak to the EC and discuss the matter,” said Bhattacharya.

Meanwhile,a senior EC official said that the commission never wants to do anything that will make people suffer. “If it is related to providing drinking water,we will analyse the entire issue. But setting up of water sources for people will not be a major violation of the model code of conduct,” said the official.