Parched DLF areas not permitted to revive tubewells

Though several areas in the city, including upscale localities, are reeling under an acute water shortage, the district administration said no permission will be given to revive defunct tubewells, keeping in mind the depleting groundwater level.

Though several areas in the city, including upscale localities, are reeling under an acute water shortage, the district administration said no permission will be given to revive defunct tubewells, keeping in mind the depleting groundwater level.

With no water supply for over one week, residents of DLF colonies have decided to protest against the shortage outside the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

With no water supply for over one week, residents of DLF colonies have decided to protest against the shortage outside the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday.

The residents will gather at Arjun Marg in DLF Phase 1 under the banner of Gurgaon Citizens’ Council and proceed to the DC office on Monday, a spokesperson of the council said. The spokesperson said the residents are fed up of asking for tankers and criticising the government -- it is time for some real action.

“No permission can be given (to revive tubewells). If permission is granted for one or two, it will have to be granted for others also,” Gurgaon deputy commissioner (DC) TL Satyaprakash said.

In February, the district administration had given the nod to revive 29 defunct tubewells in DLF phases as water supply was disrupted because of Jat agitations. The tubewells were to be desilted in DLF phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 only for drinking purpose.

Now, residents want those tubewells to be revived as supply is scarce in DLF phases, Sushant Lok, Ardee City and several Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) sectors.

These tubewells were defunct for more than three years. Earlier, in 2012 and 2013, the DLF management had sought permission from the Huda to clean them.

Digging tubewells is banned in Gurgaon since 2001. As per Central Groundwater Authority, there are only 11,000 registered tubewells in Gurgaon though the city has more than 30,000 of them.

The DC said the water crisis is the result of erratic power supply to the water pumping stations. He said a tower of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited collapsed in Najafgarh area of Delhi, snapping supply to water pumps.

Satyaprakash has asked discoms to streamline power supply so that normal water supply can be restored.