Gurugram: The novelty associated with the millennium city seems to be wearing off fast for the residents.
The city of big conglomerates and tech firms may have a job for almost anyone arriving here but no water to quench their thirst.
The worst water crisis in recent years
Indian skipper Virat Kohli was penalised by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram last month when his driver was spotted using drinking water to wash his car, underlining the acute water crisis that has hit the city.
Reaction of Odia resident
“I had bought a property here in 2011, close to my office. But I am repenting now,” said Pratibha Sarangi, a Cuttack-born IT professional.
“Last month, I spent Rs 17000 for meeting my daily water requirement. The pipes have almost run dry. The heavy rationing of the water supply has meant that I get water only for 7-8 minutes a day. This is highly irrational, especially in summer months,” she told Odisha Bytes.
Media reports
“We are coughing up Rs 35,000 a month for water. It is becoming too expensive to live here,” Padma Arora told a news channel.
“I had to send my children to my relative’s place in Delhi two weeks back. But this is not the solution. We can only pray for good times ahead,” said Arun Chauhan, another resident.
What has led to this crisis
# Reports blame it on the exponential rise in the city population and an overburdened civic infrastructure. During the last two years alone, about two lakh people have settled down in Gurugram.
# Fast depleting groundwater level. By some account, by 2024 the city might completely run out of water.
The solution
The authorities have appointed senior officials to monitor schemes such as rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of ponds and sewage treatment plant programmes.
What does the Niti Aayog report say
# By 2020, 21 Indian cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, will run out of groundwater.
# It says that 40 per cent of the citizens will have no access to drinking water by 2030.
