While the Sonia Vihar pipeline have been the “last lifeline” for Deoli, Sangam Vihar and South-East Delhi residents for past few years, but now the power cuts in peak summer have affected the water supply in these areas. With insufficient water supply, the residents in these areas are facing water crisis once again.
DJB official confessed that supply to parts of South Delhi have been affected, with the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant being hit by two leakages. The plant, which produced 140 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated water, produced 20 MGD less though repairs have been done.
Kehsav Cahndra, Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Jal Board told The Pioneer that due to power cuts, supply of five to six MGD water in some parts of South Delhi areas has been affected. “Due to power cuts, supply has been affected to these areas. However, DJB is sending water tanks in these areas,” he said.
Ramesh Kumar, a shopkeeper in Deoli, said that five months ago, water supply in this area was started and it was a big relief for the residents. “We have seen tough times for water. We were completely reliable on DJB tankers. Although now situation is not worse, but it is not good either because the water through DJB supply comes only once a day,” said Kumar.
Earlier, to get water pipeline in these areas, residents of Sangam Vihar and Deoli Village had marched a protest at the Delhi Secretariat against the State Government’s negligence towards shortage of water supply in their localities.
Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Tigri Colony said that supply from DJB is not sufficient. “Although the DJB tankers come only four times a month, but we have to pay them some amount of money and despite several visits to DJB, no official is ready to take the matter seriously,” he said.
As per the DJB’s summer action plan 2016, the target for production is 900 MGD. last year, the DJB managed to commission three new treatment plants and add new areas to it supply network.