Water supply, sewerage woes haunt residents
Sandeep Rana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 25
Even after Daria and Makhan Majra villages were merged into the Municipal Corporation more than two years ago, the basic problem of poor water supply continues to haunt the residents of these villages.
As per residents of Daria, situated in front of the Chandigarh railway station, around half of the village area is facing a shortage of water supply. The houses near the gas agency here are affected the most.
“Water supply is irregular and very low. We get water for half an hour and can fill a few buckets. The situation has worsened in the past four-five months. The MC should either start another tubewell or set up one more booster,” said Ajay Pandey, former member of Pachayat Samiti.
Ashish Ghaznavi, a local resident and Youth Congress leader, shared, “More tubewells are needed to be opened as people often have to call water tankers. After the corporation took over, things have only deteriorated here. Garbage can be seen dumped in open areas. Street lights are not working.”
Another local resident, Sumit, said, “Every week, there is a sewer line leakage and we have to bear with foul smell. Inner streets are not cleaned. We thought the MC will crack down on encroachments by some residents outside their gates, but it is disappointing to see nothing being done in this regard. Encroachments block the way of vehicles.”
The residents hoped the things may improve after the MC elections, which are scheduled in the year-end. They feel since panchayat system is abolished at present, they have none to air their grievances. But once a councillor is elected, they will have some voice to raise their issues.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Makhan Majra also has mainly water and sewerage issues. Surmukh Singh, former member of Panchayat Samiti, rued, “Sewerage is very old and pipelines often get blocked. Water pressure is low and sometimes supply is muddy. Even after the corporation took over the village, roads here have not been recarpeted.”
MC officials said they had recently received funds from the UT Administration and tenders for various works were being allotted to different villages.
