Residents’ water woes continue, MC unfazed
Residents are once again struggling with the shortage of potable water as the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) authorities have failed to act fast to augment the supply situation, which is only going to turn acute.
Residents are once again struggling with the shortage of potable water as the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) authorities have failed to act fast to augment the supply situation, which is only going to turn acute.
In September 2012, the MC had for med a seven-member water expert committee to asses and improve water supply by making internal arrangements, but despite committee’s recommendations, nothing had been done so far, causing great inconvenience to the public at large.
The committee headed by superintending engineer, public health department, RC Diwan had in its report stated that the operation and maintenance of pumping machinery, pumping schedule, operation of sluice valves and upkeep of distribution system needed to be improved and suitably modified.
The committee identified low pressure areas in Sector 7 ( CPWD colony) , Sect o r 18 , Sector 20-C and D, Sector 21-C and D, Sector 25 (Kumhar colony), Sector 29 (CBI colony), Sector 34-C and D, Sector 38-C, Sector 44-C and D and Sector 45-C and D and even suggested remedial measures to overcome water shortage. The committee had also suggested changing faulty sluice valves so as to ensure smooth water supply in low-pressure areas. Pressure gauges should be installed on distribution pipelines wherever required to monitor water pressure. Another suggestion was to connect CPWD colony with waterworks in Sector 26 through an additional pipeline and installation of separate pump at the waterworks to improve supply.
The committee also suggested that sluice valves installed on the pipeline in Sector 17 should be opened a little late so as to ensure enough water pressure in Sector 18. It also recommended a dedicated pipeline of suitable size from Sector 37, along with a pump, to ensure smooth supply to Kumhar colony, but it remained on papers only. At present, the city gets 87 million gallons daily (MGD) against the demand of 116 MGD. Despite attempts, RC Diwan could not be contacted.