No relief in sight for parched DLF phases in Gurgaon

Around one lakh people, including those living in upscale colonies such as DLF Phases 1-4, have no access to water

There is no end in sight to the acute water shortage in the city for the last two weeks. Around one lakh people, including those living in upscale colonies such as DLF Phases 1-4, have no access to water. The situation is the same in Sector 15 Part-1, South City (1 and 2), Palam Vihar and other Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) sectors.

Residents are forced to rely on private tankers because of the acute water scarcity in the city. (HT Photo)

On Wednesday morning, residents of Sector 15 Part-2 complained of water shortage. They said the civic agencies had not sent tankers to their area for the last two days despite them complaining of lack of water.

The 600 families in Sector 15 Part-1 are yet to get water supply. They are dependent on private agencies and have to shell out as much as Rs 2,100 per day for tanker supply.

“If the situation remains the same for one more day, private suppliers will increase the charges,” said Sector 15 Part-1 RWA president Ramesh Vashisht.

The demand for tankers is more in DLF City areas and Old Gurgaon, said Dinesh Kumar, the driver of a private water tanker. He said the suppliers have been charging reasonable rates until now, but that may double if the situation continues.

On Wednesday, residents of DLF City received water in the morning for just 10 minutes. Nearly 20 million gallons of water per day (MGD) is required in DLF phases 1-4, but these areas got supplied only 1 MGD.

R S Rathee, president of DLF Qutab Enclave RWA, said, “There are thousands of residents living in our phase and almost all are facing the shortage. They pay heavy taxes and ask for basic amenities which is their right.”

While MCG is providing water tankers to some areas, others who have been left to fend for themselves. On Wednesday morning, residents from different areas called the MCG/Huda but no water tankers were sent.

“For the last two days, we have been facing a terrible water crisis. We are dependent on water tankers as several houses in the locality have no water connections,” said Shalini Baweja of Sector 15-part-1.

Huda, on its part, is blaming Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam for the crisis.

“A tower of transmission company Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited fell in Najafgarh area of New Delhi. Some other supply lines too were disrupted in the storm on Sunday and Monday. I have directed electricity authorities to resume supply so that water pumps in Basai Water treatment plant can operate properly, “ said Gurgaon Deputy commissioner TL Satyaprakash.