New Delhi, 7 November 2022: Delhi government can makes tall claims about water is being supplied to every house in the national capital, however, the ground reality states otherwise.
There are frequent reports of water supply problems and citizens’ protests in various parts of Delhi.
Amidst the ongoing water protest, the residents from D6, Santushti apartments, Vasant Kunj have alleged of foul play in the operations of the Delhi Jal Board officials.
“We are facing a shortage of water and issues like supply of dirty and contaminated water. After contacting the Delhi jal board officials, it was informed that this may be due to some problem in the pipeline, however, the problem did not solve after repetitive follow-ups with the Delhi Jal board officials. They just gave an assurance that there is no problem in the pipeline and asked the residents to get the local pipes checked. This is when we realised that there is some foul play as the problem aggravated,” said Sneh Lata Rathi, president, B6 RWA Santushti Apartments, Vasant Kunj, in a letter to the chief engineer of the Delhi Jal Board.
She further stated that on the instructions of Delhi Jal board officials, the operator started filling the reservoir through borewell water then it became clear that this dirty and contaminated water was definitely due to the borewell supply as it started almost at the same time when a newly dug borewell was connected to our reservoir almost a month ago. The residents sternly opposed it stating, “we are not paying huge bills and taxes for using untreated borewell water. We feel like idiots, paying bills, paying for tankers, and drinking untreated water.”
“Since then we are facing an acute shortage in Delhi Jal board supply and there is no notification from the Delhi Jal board,” she added.
In the letter, President Rathi further alleged that the DJB officers had said that there is an issue in the pipe that we proved wrong during a dharna which we were forced to conduct due to non-cooperation and no assurance from your office.
“However, water reached D6 in 10 to 15 minutes on the day we went to dharna, and the reservoir field was almost 9 points but the day we were not there it again reduce to 6 to 7 points, which is 70% of a daily quota,” the letter read.
“There is no shortage, this we proved two days ago. The B1 UGR started filling 18 points as soon as we stopped the tanker supplier, about 55 tankers supply water to different areas and each making at least 9 to 10 rounds. In this case, there is the shortest of water, we request you to stop tanker supply with immediate effect,” she further added.
Earlier, the resident welfare association clarified the situation, “We are facing an acute water supply problem at Santushti apartments, D6, Vasant Kunj for the last 15 days. The society has more than 1100 flats and water was supplied by the Delhi Jal Board two-timing, one from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and then after 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. The situation was normal for many years, however, from the past 30 days many flats were facing irregular less or no supply issues.”
“After examining the situation with the Delhi Jal Board, we are surprised to know that other blocks of the Vasant Kunj are getting regular water supply but for santushti apartment, the water supply is not available even though the reservoir is being filled up to 8 to 9 points with the supplies from the non-treated groundwater pump through borewells and the residence are facing a lot of issues,” they further added. However, they had not received any response from the authorities.
Today, Rathi literally issued an ultimatum stating, “We need a written clear solution from your good office either you given writing that there is a shortage of water supply and D6 will have to use untreated borewell water or give return assurance for 10 point water supply on daily basis.”
They further asked the DJB to issue heavy fines and even disconnect the water supply to the flats that have not installed float balls and whose tanks are overflowing.
The DDC Chairman (district south), MLA Mehrauli, Naresh Yadav has also ordered the DJB to take corrective measures and relieve the affected residents. “Clean drinking water is our basic need and right,” they urged.
