Infra snags, outages at plants: Why new sectors battling water shortage

GURGAON: Several societies located along Dwarka Expressway have been facing a severe water crisis for almost two weeks now.
While the problem has been persisting over a month in some societies amid searing heat, it has aggravated now. Residents alleged they have been getting erratic water supply with low pressure, forcing them to depend on either private tankers or groundwater supply to meet their daily needs.
Kumar Ashok, president of Bestech Parkview Grand Spa RWA, said they have been getting no water since June 4. “For the last one week, we have been facing a severe water crisis as there has been no supply from GMDA. Earlier, 60%-70% of our water needs used to be fulfilled by GMDA water, but now, we are completely dependent on private tankers and borewells. GMDA officials cite technical faults or maintenance issues as the reasons,” he said.
The situation is the same at BPTP Park Serene. “We have been getting water at low pressure for a month. GMDA officials keep telling us it will be fixed in a day or two, but there has been no solution till date,” said Hemant Kumar, the RWA general secretary.
GMDA has admitted that there is a gap in demand and supply. According to GMDA, their water supply from the Basai and Chandu Budhera water treatment plants is 570 million litres per day (MLD), whereas the demand is 650 MLD.
The 80 MLD gap between demand and supply is where private tankers and borewells factor in. The problem is compounded with operational and maintenance-related issues like disruptions in power supply and planned shutdowns at water plants. Last week, erratic power supply to the plants for 15 hours resulted in disruption of supply in several societies. Tampering of supply valves by miscreants too caused interruptions.
GMDA officials maintained they have resolved the problem and water supply will be streamlined soon. “We have already secured the scour valves and there is no problem with pressure in the water pipelines now. About 90% of the issues have been resolved. Some areas might have localised problems. Water supply is normal now,” GMDA executive engineer Abhinav Verma said.
Residents, however, blamed GMDA for the poor supply. SK Singh, a resident of Indiabulls Centrum Park said, “Supply has been erratic for the last two and half months and the GMDA has not been able to address this issue despite repeated complaints.”
Some RWAs have issued advisories appealing to residents to use water judiciously.
“Although we have asked residents to use water judiciously, getting water through tankers has been causing additional financial burden on the public. If GMDA is unable to provide sufficient water, it should bear the cost of alternative sources,” said Praveen Malik, president of Sare Homes RWA.