Ward members demand water for city’s unauthorised colonies

Cutting across party lines, the municipal councillors of Gurgaon on Monday demanded immediate supply of water for people residing in unauthorised colonies of the Millennium City.

Cutting across party lines, the municipal councillors of Gurgaon on Monday demanded immediate supply of water for people residing in unauthorised colonies of the Millennium City.

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The councillors passed a resolution in this regard.The resolution drew attention of the officials towards the nearly nine lakh people living in unapproved colonies.

These people solely depend on submersible pumps for their water needs and are compelled to use untreated water.

These colonies were settled about 20 years ago and lack basic amenities like water, sewage system and proper roads.

The councillors said if these people have the power to elect councillors, MLAs and MPs; then they should also be entitled to get basic amenities.

The members mooted that the corporation should make these facilities available to the residents.

"The corporation should immediately start laying water pipelines to supply canal water to these colonies," said Rishi Raj Rana, councillor from Ward 1.

He said the people were angry and could take to streets any time.

Mahesh Dayma, another councillor, added, "To add insult to injury, the district administration sealed borewells in these areas. Now, how will these people get water?"

Though the people living in unapproved colonies have voter cards, bank accounts, ration cards and other necessary documents, they do not have access to canal water.

Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) commissioner Sudhir Rajpal, however, refused any help.

“Under the present circumstances, we cannot provide water to these areas. We can start the service only after the Haryana government approves these colonies. Till then, nothing can be done," said the commissioner.

He added the government was likely to approve these colonies shortly.

The MCG had sent a list of 45 such colonies to the Haryana government earlier this year.

Three rounds of high-level meetings have taken place so far, but without any concrete action.