Concerns have emerged regarding the state of Chandigarh’s drinking water facilities due to allegations that approximately 125 water boosters, underground reservoirs, and storage tanks have not been adequately cleaned or maintained for four years. The implications of this neglect could potentially compromise the quality of water supplied to the city’s residents.

The issue was brought to the forefront when Dilip Bhardwaj, who holds a role in maintaining water booster systems, filed a formal complaint directed at the Mayor and Municipal Commissioner of Chandigarh. Bhardwaj pointed out that despite existing regulations mandating regular cleaning and maintenance every six months, many infrastructure installations have seen no attention in recent years.

In his complaint, Bhardwaj requested an immediate investigation into the conditions of these water facilities. He called for technical inspections, scientific cleaning processes, and necessary repairs to be expedited. Furthermore, he insisted that water quality should be evaluated by an independent laboratory, with the findings shared publicly.

Inspection of Water Supply Installations

Following the allegations, a team from India Today conducted site visits to several water supply installations, including those at PGI, Sector 12, Sector 37, and Mauli Jagran. During these visits, noticeable deficiencies in maintenance were identified. Observations included dark water in some reservoirs and rusted, damaged, or unsecured iron access covers.

Bhardwaj joined the inspection team and claimed that certain reservoirs had not been subjected to cleaning for several months. He has extensive experience in managing water facility maintenance, having worked as a government contractor for nearly two decades but noted the absence of any tenders or contracts for such essential cleaning tasks in recent years.

He emphasised the importance of prioritising public health over contract awards, advocating for immediate action to rectify the alarming situation. The guidelines established for maintenance in Chandigarh state that cleaning and upkeep of water boosters, reservoirs, and tanks must take place biannually to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water.

Official Responses to the Complaints

When approached for comments, officials from the Engineering and Water Supply Department provided mixed responses. Amit Sharma mentioned that an examination of records would be necessary to ascertain the last cleaning date for the water facilities. Conversely, Yogesh Aggarwal either did not respond or indicated that he was not in a position to comment on the matter.

Attempts to reach Chief Engineer Sanjay Arora were unsuccessful, while Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar did not reply to repeated inquiries regarding the situation. Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi refrained from commenting on the allegations, stating that he had not yet had the opportunity to review the complaint and suggested that the Commissioner or Chief Engineer would provide a response on behalf of the administration.

The disturbing allegations have raised significant concerns about the management of drinking water in Chandigarh. They have also led to calls for an independent investigation into the maintenance practices for the city’s water infrastructure, as public health remains at stake. As the situation develops, officials are urged to consider immediate action to address these critical issues.

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