With mercury on the rise in the national Capital, Delhiites have started to face water scarcity. While short rainfall is already an issue for low recharge rate, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is also struggling in providing water supply to residents. After Moti Bagh, South Extension -II , Karol Bagh , now areas of New Delhi Municipal council (NDMC ) are also being affected with low water supply or now water supply from the authority, the DJB.
The DJB officials said due to interconnection work for commissioning of newly laid 1500 mm dia MS Effluent main at Khizrabad, water supply will be affected in NDMC areas including Presidential Estate, South Delhi and adjoining areas. This is not the first time in this summer when the DJB has informed its consumers about shortage in water supply.
Incidentally, just a week before the DJB had said water supply in South-East Delhi would be impacted due to interconnection work in V-series Ranney Well raw water line feeding to Okhla Water Treatment Plant(WTP) near IP Metro Station and at Okhla WTP.
The affected area were: New Friends Colony, Batla House, Zakir Nagar, Noor Nagar, Noor Nagar Extn., Okhla Village, Gaffar Manzil, Zamia Nagar, Gaffur Nagar Azim Dairy, Joga Bai, Massi Garh and their adjoining areas. Residents have been advised to store adequate water for their demand.
Water scarcity was also highlighted by leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta and other BJP and Congress leaders and ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is being criticised for not having any preparedness or Summer Action Plan.
Earlier in March, residents of Moti Bagh and Central Delhi districts were complaining about the shortage in supply and dirty water as well. Residents of South Extension -II too complained about the shortage in water supply in the first week of the current month.
It may be recalled, green body the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also ordered Central Pollution control Board (CPCB) to check the impurity levels in water.
Notably, RWAs representatives had written letters to Delhi State BJP president Manoj Tiwari seeking his help in solving their water woes. "Due to limited water supply, residents are not able to fulfill their daily requirements," said an RWA office bearer pleading anonymity.
It may be noted that in May, 2017 the hydrogeologists had cautioned about the situation of groundwater level in South and Southwest districts of Delhi was 'critical' as the water level has depleted. However, the hydrogeologists in the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) said the situation can be overcome with the river basin approach.
Meanwhile, the DJB has advised residents to store sufficient quantity of water in advance as per their requirement. Water tankers will be available at telephone nos. 1916, 23527679, 1800117118 (Central Control Room), 23537397, 23677129 (Idgah water Emergency), 26193218 (RK Puram).