Water crisis deepens in Shimla, state govt fails to find solution
SCARCITY In most of the localities, water is being supplied after a gap of five days
SHIMLA: As mercury soars in the hills, acute water shortage is gripping the state capital that has a population of more than 1.64 lakh. The town requires 45 MLD (million litres a day) of water, but is getting only 21 MLD.
In wake of the water scarcity, localities here are being provided water supply after a gap of five days.
Meanwhile, the Shimla municipal corporation (MC) has pressed water tankers into service and has asked district administration to arrange more tankers to supply water in different localities.
“Situation is worsening day by day as sources are drying up, our endeavour is to provide water after every five days to all the localities,” said MC executive engineer, Vijay Kumar Gupta.
Demand for water rises as the tourist influx increases during the weekend, Gupta said, adding that the increasing temperature and dry weather conditions have aggravated the problem.
Meanwhile the MC has already issued an advisory urging the people not to waste water, he said. Residents of the town have been asked not to use water for washing cars and watering plants. “We are just looking up to god to bring rain for some relief,” the MC engineer said.
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ALSO HIT
“In absence of regular water supply, many hotels in the town have engaged private water tankers,” says Harman Kukreja, president, Shimla Hotel and Restaurateurs Association.
Besides Shimla, situation is bad in the peripheral areas Tottu, Majiath, Chakkar, Ghora Chowki, Summer Hill and Bhattakuffar in Sanjauli and Kaha as well. “People in the area get water supply for only an hour and that too after a week,” said Amit Thakur, a Phd scholar residing in Tottu.
“Things are bad for us, we get water from a baoli ( stepwell, a natural water source). Moreover, we are forced to buy packaged water to cook food,” said Arti Chauhan, a councillor from Sanjauli (Engine Ghar).
“We don't have water in our own house too. I am helpless, water shortage complaints are just piling up day by day,” Chauhan said.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday directed officials of the irrigation and public health department, district administration and MC to take all necessary measures to ensure that there is no inconvenience caused to the tourists visiting Shimla and the residents here due to water shortage.
MILITANTS LOB GRENADE ON ARMY CAMP IN KULGAM
In two separate attacks in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, militants lobbed a grenade towards an army camp and in the other, tried to snatch rifle from a police guard. The grenade exploded close to camp and rifle snatching bid was foiled policeman. No casualty was reported.