GMADA water supply breaks down

Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 23

Residents of Mohali were affected as the water supply system broke down in some new sectors, where the supply is under GMADA, with four tubewells remaining non-functional.

Of the 14 tubewells which feed areas under GMADA, one big tubewell in Sector 69 was defunct while the water level in three tubewells in Sectors 68 and 69 receded drastically, disrupting supply to households.

Residents said the water supply remained affected in the morning and evening.

“Till 7.30 am, we did not receive any water supply in the area. After that, we received supply for an hour, that too at a low pressure.

Since summers are approaching, the authorities should make some contingency plans to manage the peak demand, in case a snag occurs,” said Capt Makhan Singh, a resident of Sector 69.

Another local resident said GMADA was charging five times more tariff as compared to the MC, yet the water supply was deficient, adding that the water problem remained an annual concern.

Satvir Singh Dhanoa, area councillor, said, “It is due to the negligence of GMADA. In the past, we have requested the authorities to replace obsolete machinery, but they have failed to comply.”

GMADA SDO RK Handa said the problem was due to a groundwater issue. “We have started repair work at the tubewells. The machinery will be reinstalled, if required.”

GMADA Chief Administrator Ravi Bhagat said, “I was informed about the water supply problem faced by residents on Friday. I have instructed the Chief Engineer to look into the matter and resolve it at the earliest.”

Despite repeated attempts, GMADA Chief Engineer Sunil Kansal did not respond to calls and text messages.

The water supply to some sectors — from Sector 66 to 69, 76 to 80, Aerocity and IT City — is under GMADA. These areas do not get water from Kajauli and have to pay a higher tariff. In the areas under GMADA, domestic tariff is Rs 10 per kl for consumption above 20 kl. For consumption below 20 kl, Rs 5 per kl is charged, as against a flat rate of Rs 1.8 per kl in other areas of Mohali.