The Indian Express 13.04.2013
From April 15 onwards, MC to challan for water wastage
The Municipal Corporation will launch a drive to challan city
residents for wasting water from April 15 onwards. The drive will
continue till June 30.
Under the annual drive, which is held during summers in order to
prevent wastage of water, violators will be fined Rs 2,000. From April
15 to June 30, during the morning hours, watering of lawns, washing of
cars and courtyards using hosepipe will not be allowed. Fine will be
imposed in case of leakages in pipes, overflowing water tanks or water
coolers.
Teams of the Municipal Corporation headed by an SDO will start
checks in the morning hours in order to prevent water wastage. The
challans will be handed over to the violators on the spot. The fine will
be added to the water bills.
Last year, the Municipal Corporation had increased the amount of
fine from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. Also, it was decided that no notice would
be issued for the first violation as was the practice earlier. Rather
fine would be imposed.
The civic body had issued 1,002 challans last year which was the
highest ever. Prior to that, the MC used to issue notices in hundreds
but fines were rarely imposed. In 2011, only two challans were issued.
In 2010, the number of challans was 52 while it was 16 in 2009.
Chandigarh receives 87 million gallons daily (mgd) of water. The
peak summer demand is for 116 mgd. There is no scope for increasing
availability of water in the city till the project for the next phases
of Kajauli water works gets underway. This has been hanging fire for the
past few years.
Due to the gap between demand and supply, a drive is started
during summers to ensure that water is not wasted. As the temperature
rises, the demand for water also witnesses an increase. The residents of
the upper storeys complain of low-water pressure. At times, water does
not reach those residing on the upper floors. In order to ensure that
water is available for essential activities and not wasted in watering
of lawns and washing cars, the drive will be launched.
