Gurugram – The responsibility of quenching the thirst of residents in one of the most posh societies of Cyber City, DLF, now lies in the hands of the Haryana Ground Water Authority. Since the onset of summer, DLF Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 have been facing a water crisis, leading to numerous protests. According to the DLF management, the water supply from GMDA is 40 percent less than the required amount.
The DLF management stated that last year, GMDA granted permission to install tube wells where needed, but the file related to the installation of tube wells is still pending with the Haryana Ground Water Authority. If the approval is received, they will proceed with the installation. This issue has been ongoing since last year. Residents of Phase 2 and Phase 3 are more troubled by the water shortage. Approximately 20,000 people live in Phase 2 and around 25,000 in Phase 3. Residents have been relying on water tankers and protesting due to the water scarcity. This situation persists even though the minimum price for a single floor in the plotted colony of Phase 2 is ₹2.5 crore. Residents have built homes costing between ₹2.5 crore to ₹30 crore.
Partial Improvements Post-Protests
For the past six months, Arvindo Verma, a resident of M Block in DLF Phase 2, has been fighting for water through the Awaaz organization. He mentioned that GMDA has given permission for tube wells and they can install up to 20 bore wells to meet the water needs. As far as he knows, they have also received permission from Chandigarh. The old pipeline infrastructure has not been replaced. Though conditions improved slightly after recent protests, it will not last long.
Vipin Yadav, also struggling for potable water in DLF Phase 2, pointed out that neighboring villages Nathupur, Sikanderpur, and Sushant Lok-2, 3 have received permissions for submersibles. Phase 2 has permission for six submersibles. Groundwater is being used for construction, but the motors are not providing drinking water.
Water from Basai Treatment Plant
Water for DLF is sourced from the Basai Water Treatment Plant, which receives 100 cusecs of water from the Gurgaon Water Channel. Recently, the channel was only supplying 80-90 cusecs of water, reducing the water supply to DLF. However, this week, the channel has started supplying the full quota. According to SE Tarun Agrawal of the Irrigation Department, the canals are now providing full water flow.
Residents’ Opinions
“Additional pipelines were connected in blocks facing problems to increase water supply. However, without Haryana Ground Water Authority’s approval, submersibles cannot be installed,” said Naveen Kumar, RWA Coordinator, DLF.
“This is just an excuse. Neighboring villages Sikanderpur, Nathupur, and Sushant Lok 2 have recently installed tube wells. If villages are getting permission, why is there a problem in DLF? They don’t want to spend money on tube wells or fix the old water channels,” said Vipin Yadav, DLF Phase 2.
GMDA’s Stance
In a recent meeting, GMDA clarified that they cannot provide more water to DLF than they currently do. They suggested DLF install 10 tube wells for emergencies. Every summer, there are problems, but this time the water shortage is severe. Residents are purchasing tankers for ₹1500 to ₹2000, and the tankers provided by DLF are insufficient.
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