'Our prayers have been heard'

Relief for some, disappointment for others -- the water tap told the story on Tuesday.

Relief for some, disappointment for others -- the water tap told the story on Tuesday.

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On the first day of its commissioning, the 140-MGD Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant (WTP) brought a mixed bag of emotions to south and east Delhi. Areas like Okhla, Lajpat Nagar, Sarita Vihar and parts of north-east Delhi (where the water supply had been weak so far) celebrated high-pressure water -- and for a longer duration.

But in other areas, like Vasant Kunj, Kalkaji, Sriniwaspuri, Mehrauli and Mayur Vihar, residents who were looking forward to an end to their water woes were disappointed. Water came in a trickle -- as the previous day.

If the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is to be believed, it was only a matter of two or three days before these areas too get their share of water. Things will only get better, claimed the DJB.

Geeta Bhargava, a resident of Sarita Vihar, was euphoric. For the first time in many years, she saw water gushing out of the tap in the evening. "I just couldn't believe my eyes. The pressure was such that within an hour the tanks were overflowing," she said.

In CR Park, the main overhead tank, which supplies water to the area, was filled to capacity for the first time in several years. "As a result, tail-end areas like blocks B, C and D also got water for 30 minutes," said DJB CEO Arun Mathur.

PK Roy, secretary, CR Park RWA, said: "Our prayers have finally been heard."

The DJB CEO said the situation in areas where the difference was not felt on Tuesday would improve by the end of this week. "Right now we're releasing 65 MGD in a very controlled manner in south Delhi. In east Delhi, since morning the entire supply of 100 MGD from Bhagirathi plant has been diverted. Where we supplied 67 MGD till now, the quantity has now been augmented to 107 MGD. The result will show on Wednesday," he said.