Tehri (Dehradun), 7 Dec 2004
Despite tall promises by the Uttaranchal government, residents of New Tehri, the township built for resettlement of Tehri Dam evacuees, are facing a severe water shortage as winter sets in.The state government is unable to provide water even once a day to thousands of displaced people, who had been shifted to New Tehri from old Tehri for the construction of the dam. Under the 1985-86 master plan, New Tehri was constructed at a cost of Rs 450 crore. Out of this, 1441.37 lakhs of rupees were spent on drinking water facilities, but the condition remains the same.
The situation right now is that over 30,000 people do not receive sufficient quantity of water. Local residents say that they hardly get water because as it comes only once every 3-4 days and that too for a few minutes.
Some families have already left this town due to shortage of water.
Govind Singh Bisht, a local resident said they have appealed to make some arrangements to sort out the water problem in the town. But, they say nothing has been done yet.
“People of New Tehri have been facing acute shortage of water. We only get water every third day and one family hardly get 200 litres of water. Our representatives demanded more water for New Tehri to the government but no favourable step has been taken yet,” said Govind Singh Bisht, a local resident.
“We get water every third day and it is not sure that we will get sufficient amount of water. Only roadside people can have water from tankers because of hilly area it cannot come up,” said SS Chauhan, another local resident. On the other hand, the Uttranchal Jal Nigam accepts that people of New Tehri are not getting sufficient amount of water.But they say Jal Nigam only distributes drinking water whereas Tehri Hydro Development Corporation is responsible for not providing proper water to New Tehri town.
“Our old water planning is unable to provide that amount of water. Although we required around 1500-2000 litre water everyday, that is why city is facing water problem. Jal Nigam only distribute drinking water, which is we are providing,” said Kishan Lal, ex-Engineer, Jal Nigam.
News Source: http://news.newkerala.com