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| Insensitive PHE: Electric boosters ‘Steal’ major chunk of water supply | | | ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, May 2: With the mercury rising and the demand for water with it, the city residents have evolved a new modus-operandi to draw extra water from main supply lines. Nearly 25 to 30 per cent of the residents have installed electric boosters ((booster pumps) to augment their water supply and that too, in connivance with employees of Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.
Though construction of water tanks in the ground floor is permitted by the PHE and other agencies, use of electric boosters is a clear violation of the norms.
The practice is in vogue since the system has been either abandoned by the government for any consideration or is being deliberately overlooked to escape the often public grievance that keeps in pouring regarding not getting the bucketfuls in their houses despite being water supplied by the department in time bound manner.
The department has, however, described the illegal drawing of water from main supply lines running through streets and lanes as "mere allegations" and refused to admit the involvement of PHE employees in the nexus.
"This is a great irony that despite the theft being committed in opens and immediately under the nose of the administration, no cognizance is being taken to rectify the system that could have provided equitable distribution of water to every household," said Shilpa Khajuria, 28, a resident of Pacci Dhaki.
She alleged that her neighbourers have recently installed "high powered" electric boosters on main water supply line which has lowered the water pressure in her household.
Interestingly, lower rung officials in the office of Chief Engineer PHE Jammu admitted over the department being recipient of such complaints quite often.
On the condition of anonymity, he said, "The complaints being received by the department are generally dismissed to appease the influential people. Due to installation of electric boosters on main supply lines generally add to woes of general public particularly when summer season is on peak."
A resident of Jullakha Mohalla, who wished not to be named, said, "We had to install electric boosters since we were left with no other option. `The pressure of water is very low as a result of which it does not reach the overhead tanks. Our repeated complaints to the local authorities failed to evoke any response from them. Hence, we had to install water boosters."
When contacted, PHE Chief Engineer Daleep Bakshi refuted the allegations regarding involvement of PHE officials in installation of electric boosters at particular residences.
"We generally come across all such allegations and counter-allegations but the fact is that our officials are not involved in it and if we receive any such complaint, we will definitely initiate action against the erring officials," Bakshi stated.
The Chief Engineer said that the department has issued clear cut directions in this regard and any violation would invite legal action including disconnection of water supply.
He also appealed the public not to install water boosters on main water supply lines and use water judiciously.
Jammu has shortage of 11 MGD water!
In the backdrop of state administration strenuous efforts to cope up water crisis, Jammu city is still reeling under shortage of nearly 11 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) of drinking water.
The Chief Engineer said the present potable water requirement of Jammu city is 43 MGD which caters to around 13 to 14 lakh population residing in Jammu including tourists and pilgrims visiting the city.
"As per our infrastructure and set up, we have been supplying 39.93 MGD drinking water in the city but the depletion of ground water resources have brought down the water supply to 33.93 MGD leaving a shortfall of nearly 11 MGD," he informed.
He however, claimed that situation is under control and hoped that it would improve with the ensuing monsoon season.
Official sources informed, the water supply requirement of the city is being catered through four filtration plants with installed capacity of 5.4 MGD, 5.4 MGD, 5.4 MGD and 3.6 MGD, besides Boria filtration plant's installed capacity of 1.8 MGD alongwith some other small filtration plants.
Sources informed that nearly 17.8 MGD of water is being supplied by these filtration plants while rest of the supply is provided by 150 tube wells of PHE.
They claimed that water requirement is also increasing as the growth rate of the urban population is reported 2.5 percent.
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