Gurgaon: Warnings of FIR does not stop residents from wasting water

Residents continue to flout the administration’s directives of using water judiciously even as supply limps back to normalcy in Gurgaon.

The supply in the city was hit last week after the Jats in Haryana, demanding for reservation, damaged parts of the Gurgaon Water Canal in Kakroi, Sonepat.

On February 26, the district administration told residents that the police will book those who use potable water for washing vehicles or gardening under the Municipal Act. It also warned of slapping a fine, but did not specify the amount.

Six days after the warning, not a single FIR was lodged or individuals booked for violating the administration’s order.

“It is not possible for us to keep a tab on everyone who misuses water. People need to be sensitive,” deputy commissioner TL Satyaprakash said.

On March 2, HT reported about people watering plants and washing cars in DLF colonies, the most water deficient area in Gurgaon. Authorised car washing units too were seen using potable water.

“One should be careful, at least when there is a crisis,” Rama Rani Rathi, ward councillor of Sector 34, said.

Another resident, Gaurav in DLF, said “Some even wash the road in front of their houses.”

The district administration issued similar advisories in the past after the Central Ground Water Authority told it to check the depletion of groundwater in the region. One such directive was issued last November.

In 2012, the Haryana Urban Development Authority issued orders to check the misuse of water. Those found washing vehicles with potable water were fined Rs 200-Rs 2,000. Developers had to pay Rs 10,000.