Water woes in Gurgaon are likely to be lower this summer. The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is now making the second unit of the Chandu Budhera water treatment plant operational from February 15. This unit will primarily supply water to sectors 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 9A, 10 and 10A.
The Chandu Budhera plant has three units each with a capacity of 22 MG (million gallons) per day. It is connected to the NCR canal that sources water from the Yamuna. At present only one unit is operational. Gurgaon News
Incidentally, the city’s water requirement is around 150 MG and HUDA (Haryana Urban Development Authority) has been able to provide only 84 MG on a daily basis. This results in an acute shortage in the summer, and residents are forced to purchase water from private suppliers.
“Taking advantage of our need, the water tankers charge an exorbitant amount from us. We pay almost Rs 1,500 per tanker,” said Deepali Mehta, a resident of Palam Vihar.
The GMDA chief executive officer (CEO) has now directed the engineering wing to connect the 22 MG unit of the Chandu Budhera plant with the existing distribution line. Gurgaon has an estimated population of over 25 lakh. After this unit is operational, there will still be a shortage of 44 million gallons.
But this extra water supplied will mean a dent in the pockets of the water mafia. “The water mafia, which has been clocking huge monetary benefits with private tankers, will now be at a relative disadvantage," said Sudhir Sachdeva, founder of My Sushant Lok (a residential group committed to resolving civic issues).
On January 1 this year, the GMDA took over the charge of water supply, sector roads and the sewage system from HUDA.
