With summer at its peak, the city is once again in the grip of acute water shortage. Inefficient management and lack of preparation by the Delhi Jal Board has adversely affected scores of households.
Contrary to the claims of the Jal Board, the ‘Summer Action Plan’ prepared by it has failed to quench the thirst of a substantial majority of Delhi's population. It is not only unauthorised colonies, but several posh localities of South Delhi including, Vasant Kunj, Greater Kailash and Kalkaji have been not been receiving proper supply of potable water.
No appropriate measure to meet the summer requirement of people has been taken as yet. The total daily production of the six functional Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) is 835 MGD, however, the requirement of the city is nearly 1,025 MGD.
There are several residential colonies that have been facing scarcity of water persistently. A few of them had moved the court seeking prompt action by the DJB for redressal of their grievances. Nevertheless, water supply only deteriorated in these areas and the residents have no option, but to jostle to fill their tanks in order to meet their daily requirements. Some of the affected areas are: Dwarka, Vasant Kunj, parts of Walled City, Sangam Vihar, Keshav Puram, Geeta Colony and Shahdara among others.
As residents said it was not just irregular supply, but also untimely water supply that added to their woes. A majority of them complained that often water came late in the night, making it extremely difficult to store water.
“Timings of water supply are very odd and erratic. Since three months, we have been waking up at four in the morning as water comes at 4:30. The authority did not even notify us about the change in the timing," said Prakarsh Gupta, resident of Vasant Kunj.
In the South-West, residents of Dwarka seem to have turned into being a perennial victim of water shortage in the city. People here, entirely depend on water tankers.
“If tankers go on a strike, then we are doomed for that day. Officially, Water supply should come twice-a-day, but many times it comes only once or never at all,” complained Reetika Hegde, a resident of Dwarka Sector 23.
Unauthorised colonies like Sangam Vihar, Deoli, Trilokpuri and Kalyanpuri are areas where 'water wars' are a daily affair. They also depend on water tankers. “Water tankers come only once a week. The tankers charge nearly Rs 500 a month. This tanker mafia is taking a toll on all of us,” said Rajinder Hans, a resident of Deoli village. Ideally, water tankers provided to the unauthorised colonies are supposed to be free.
Residents in East Delhi too are agitated by irregular water supply in areas like Gandhi Nagar, Vishwas Nagar and New Ashok Nagar. "Water comes only for around 15-20 minutes. Many times there is no electricity during the time allotted for water supply, hence leaving the water tanks empty," said Anil Bajpai, President of East Delhi RWA's Federation. He also added that despite several complaints to the councillor, no action has been taken.
Residents of areas like Rohini, Uttam Nagar and Janakpuri in West Delhi, claim that they have to run on stored water for days as water supply is not regular. "We receive water for just 30 to 40 minutes. Its quality is also not fit for drinking. We buy cans from market paying at least Rs 60 for a 20 litre can," said an agitated Manju Narula, a resident of West Patel Nagar.
The story is the same in North Delhi and the Walled City. “The pressure of water is decreasing by the day. If this continues, then I am afraid one day there will be no water in our," said Cihnnita Barua, a resident of Civil lines. Keshav Puram has the most limited water supply compared to others in the city.