Severe water crisis in the State capital has been a common occurrence during summers for about a decade now. Water pumps and wells started drying up before the onset of summer season and several rivers remain broad lines of sand unable to manage the water shortage. This year the degree of water crisis appears to be more poignant and painful, especially those who reside in apartments across the city.
As denizens residing in apartments face acute shortage of water, subsequently people will have to either go for dry holi this year or cut short the utilization of water for various purposes which will definitely hamper the festive cadence as early summers have already gripped the city.
“This year, we shifted in apartment but now looking at the condition, we have to think on our decision. Here we do not get even supply water in time due to the water rationing. Though submersible pumps are there but it does not fulfill the requirement of all the flat owners,” lamented Meeta Jamuhar, who owns 3BKH flat in Kadru locality.
Similarly, another resident, Mihir Tiwari who resides in Indira Darbar Apartment in Harmu, one of the posh localities of the state capital, said, “We have been adjusting for last two years and managing the water crisis in apartment. last year, we have to make alternative arrangement and bring water tankers during holi festival to deal with severe water shortage. The water level goes completely down, especially from March to June.”
Most of the rivers of the state have dried up and even water dams that are meant for water supply in the urban localities have lost their water level already. On the other hand, those people dependent on bore wells are bound to drink mineral rich concentrated water due to considerable fall in the ground water levels at different places across the city.
“To tackle the severe water crisis problem, we only play ‘Gulal holi’ with all our flat mates and we are practicing this culture since past three years. However, rapid urbanization has resulted in depletion of water resources; as a result, the flat owners are the worst sufferers. There is no other option left for us other than to shift to my in-laws place who owns a separate house in city,” said Meenakshi Agarwal who resides in Ratu Road with six family members in a flat.
In a survey conducted in 2008, groundwater level in Ranchi was found 40 meters below the surface. lack of people consciousness on water conservation, illegal deep boring, illegitimate constructions at several localities has increased the water crisis problems in Ranchi.
Though the state government has initiated the rain water harvesting project but only few selected apartments’ owners in the city have complete knowledge about the government initiative.
“The flat owners have been asked to properly utilize the water. To manage the water crisis, last year we had done deep boring but it looks like that we will need some alternative arrangements this year too. I am worried about the upcoming festival. As far as rain water harvesting proposal is considered, I am clueless about it,” said, chairperson and co-owner of Indra Darbar apartment, Arun Kumar.