Ganga line off, murky water in taps

NOIDA: Residents of over half a dozen sectors in Noida and Greater Noida complained of irregular water supply for past few days and said that they received dirty water early Friday morning.
The Noida Authority had earlier assured that the water supply won’t be affected during the month-long festive season, even though it cautioned about low pressure during the period due to shutting down of Upper Ganga Canal.

Aditya Bhatia, a resident of Sector Pi 3 in Greater Noida complained of irregular supply for past few days and said that on Friday he received dirty brown-black water with sand particles. “It could not be used for any household chores, neither washing nor bathing,” said Bhatia.

RWA president of Sector 53, Anil Kumar Singh said, “In the absence of Ganga water supply, are the residents going to bear health hazards with dirty water supplied by the Authority? Isn’t it the Authority’s responsibility to provide clean and adequate drinking water? For what are we paying the increased water tariff ?”

Some of the Noida residents are forced to buy drinking water since last few days. “I’m daily buying water for Rs 1,000 because there’s no supply for two-three days at a stretch. Even the private water tankers and suppliers are charging exorbitant prices, taking advantage of the situation,” said Anju Pachauri, a resident of Sector 63.

In Sector 19, residents residing of about 750 LIG flats are facing very acute shortage of water as there has been no supply since past two days. “Water supply issue in our sector has remained since last five months. But of late, the problem has become acute with no redress despite many complaints,” said Laxmi Narain, a member Sector 19 RWA.

Similarly, residents in sectors 11, 12, 31, 34 and more complained of poor water quality. They asked the district magistrate B N Singh and MLA Pankaj Singh to take immediate action.

When contacted S C Arora, deputy general manager, jal/sewer department, Noida Authority, he told TOI that the supply shortage will continue till November 7. “We are short of supply by 50% due to shutdown of Upper Ganga Canal. Since we are supplying water through ground water and tube well sources, the quality will also remain yellowish. Noida Authority is also sending tankers in areas of water shortage,” said Arora.