Water shortage in several areas of the Capital (Hindu 18 May 2011)

Glitches at Chandrawal, Haiderpur water treatment plants


Several areas including VIP areas have been facing a water shortfall on account of low production in the city over the past few days. The dip in water supply has been caused by a power-related glitch in the Chandrawal water treatment plant and on account of Haryana withholding some quantum of supply to the Haiderpur water treatment plant.

On Saturday night a two and a half hour power cut at the Chandrawal power plant led to water production being affected. The plant was flooded with water that could not be treated and this in turn led to the breakdown of two 11 MGD pumps.

“Water production had to be scaled down because two pumps were out of action and repair work is on. We are hopeful of getting the plant to work to its full capacity by Wednesday morning,” said an official.

As against 100 MGD, the plant's production over the past few days has come down to 80-83 MGD. The DJB has also initiated action against the employees at the plant for failing to switch off supply coming to the plant from Wazirabad when the fault occurred. “There has been some laxity and we will take the necessary action,” the official said.

The glitch in Chandrawal has left large parts of Central Delhi and the VIP areas served by the New Delhi Municipal Council with water much less than required. “For the past few days now the supply is limited to 10-15 minutes only. The summer heat is unbearable and water shortage makes it even worse,” said Sonia Pandey, a homemaker from Prasad Nagar.

The DJB is also hopeful of getting the production at Haiderpur back to its full capacity. Production at the plant has declined after Haryana had reduced the water supply meant for the city. According to the official, the production has fallen from 226 MGD to 221 MGD. “As of now we are not severely strained on account of this dip, but we are hoping that the full supply will be resumed and we can start production at full capacity,” the official said.

DJB officials said the city's growing demand for water has put a huge strain on the existing WTPs. “Chandrawal for instance, is severely strained. The rise in the number of commercial set ups like hotels and guest houses has been very rapid and the city's infrastructure cannot cope with the unplanned growth. We need to augment the capacity of the plants to be able to meet the requirements of the people.”