Delhi water crisis: Geeta Colony residents forced to fill water from tankers, express outrage

An outraged women resident said, "The tanker ran out of water when we were standing in a queue. I had filled just one 'can' of water which could fulfil only drinking purposes. The situation is troubling a lot."

Amid the raging water crisis in the national capital, the residents of Geeta Colony in East Delhi continue to face the shortage of water, as long queues of people around water tankers were seen in the region on Wednesday. The residents were seen huddling around water tankers with their buckets and cans in their hands to carry water.

With piped supply affected in various residential areas, people are forced to take water through tankers. The residents expressed their resentment and anger against the water scarcity and inadequate supply.

"The tanker ran out of water when we were standing in a queue. I had filled just one can of water which could fulfill only drinking purposes. The situation is troubling a lot," an outraged woman resident told ANI. Another resident Gajendra Pratap said, "The situation is worsening day by day that sometimes it leads to violence. Water supplied is less than the requirement which makes it difficult for the population to combat the situation."

Mohammad Naushad, a resident said that people who need two tankers are only able to get one tanker. He also alleged that some people don't follow the queue system further creating problems for others. "Just one tanker arrives in a day whereas the demand is for two tankers. Additionally, people don't follow the queue system which worsens the situation. This drama surfaces every day."

"Nobody looks into the matter and nobody complains to the MLA of the area about the matter. The people who collect sufficient water filthily escape from the situation by stating 'apna toh ho gaya'. (our job is done) One who receives an inadequate amount of water is compelled to either drink dirty water from the tap or buy from shops," he added. Earlier, similar situations surfaced from several clusters of the capital city of Delhi including areas such as Mayur Vihar-1 and Okhla Phase-2.

A war of words has erupted between Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena and the AAP government regarding who is responsible for the water crisis. While the AAP government blames the water crisis on the BJP-rules Haryana government saying that it did not supply the due share of water to Delhi, the LG denies this claim.

After speaking with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on the phone on Tuesday, Saxena issued a statement saying that he was told by the Chief Minister that the neighbouring State has been releasing water into the Yamuna River for Delhi through Munak canal as per the city's allocated share. The LG blamed the Delhi government for the water crisis, saying the shortage has been caused by the tanker mafia that is "stealing water [from the canal] in connivance with the ruling AAP".

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has decided to deploy Additional District Magistrate and Sub Divisional Magistrate level officers in each zone, along with a team of Tehsildars and other officials who will act as a 'Quick Response Team' for the provision of water tankers and resolution of water-related complaints. Delhi Water Minister Atishi wrote to the Chief Secretary directing him to ensure that these teams monitor and inspect the main water distribution network from water sources to the water treatment plants and from WTPs to primary Underground Reservoirs (UGRs). (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)