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.