Faridabad MC starts sealing illegal tubewells

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, April 20

The Faridabad Municipal Corporation (MC) has sealed over a dozen unauthorised tubewells used for illegally supplying water in the city.

The civic body has also sought help from the police department to curb illegal plying of water tankers here.

As per official estimates, there are 250 unauthorised water tankers here, but unofficially, these number around 1,500.

“The private water tanker mafia has been existent for the past several decades due to shortage of drinking water in a large number of residential colonies. They charge between Rs 500 and Rs 800 per tanker depending upon the location. The rates are low in winter, but they double in summer,” said an MC employee.

The private watersuppliers have reportedly dug up borewells to supply the water.

Mohammed Shayin, Commissioner, MC, said 110 illegal tubewells would be closed permanently.

He said five tubewells were being sealed daily and the MC had already hired adequate number of tankers to supply water in the areas facing shortage, especially during summer.

The demand for water has gone up to 490 million litres a day (MLD) against the supply of just 290 MLD at present.

The officials concerned were directed to curb the activity during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister during his visit to the city recently.