JOIN USSummer brings its own problems. Water for one. Every year, it’s the same old story of water scarcity in the City. When tap water becomes a trickle, then the thirsty citizens turn to water tankers.
From his point, the problems just multiply. When summer is at its peak, there’s less water to drink, to bathe and to wash clothes. But the last straw is when water supply is not above board. Water tankers are meant to supply water free of cost but that’s just fiction.
But all this about to change.
In the wake of continuous complaining and beseeching the government, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has come turned saviour! New GPS-enabled stainless steel tankers will hit the capital’s roads soon. The civic body will have a fleet of 400 tankers this summer which will be given to private operators, through tenders, to operate and maintain.
Sanjam Chima of DJB, said, “This way we will keep a tab on the water tankers’ movement and the illegal supply of water will be curbed. Each tanker will have a smart
card which will be swiped at the water-filling stations to check the quantity of water being supplied.”
The tankers will be divided in the City depending on the demand and scarcity of water. “We will identify the areas that are badly hit by water scarcity and then allocate the tankers. This measure will go a long way in improving the overall service by checking water wastage, diversion of water and most importantly, the haphazard way in which tankers were operating earlier,” he added.
Summer’s unprecedented heat is not a happy thought for some Delhiites, who are faced with a disappearing water supply, a time when private tankers charge Rs 600 to Rs 1,500 per fill. But change is in the air. They can now look forward to this new service with a smile.
Metrolife spoke to few affected Delhittes for their reactions.
Swati Bansal, a professional who lives in Vasant Vihar, one of the affected areas in the City, said, “It is a common sight to see water tankers in summer in this locality. We buy water once in two days from tankers because of the inadequate water supply – what really rankles is that we have to buy water for Rs 1500, which is really expensive. We don’t have a choice. But things will change now with these tech-savvy tankers which will also bring in dependability.”
Another Delhiite shared her views on the drivers of the DJB, who sometimes charge consumers. “What we should get free, we have to buy. We have a water crisis at home, then these tankers create more problems. This makes our life hell. We have to pay whatever they ask – we commoners don’t have a choice, we just have to pay.”
There’s a ray of hope now! These technologically-driven tankers of the DJB are about to lighten the citizens’ burden in the City.