AMC asks citizens to play Tilak Holi, save water

In a bid to save water, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on Tuesday appealed to people to celebrate waterless Holi. The civic body has requested citizens to celebrate "Tilak Holi" this year to save the environment. AMC also released a press note, in which it said "water is life. Stop waste of water and save life".

"We are requesting everyone to play Tilak Holi and not with water. To the clubs, we are going to appeal to stop wastage of water and have symbolic Holi," said Ramesh Desai, Chairman of Water and Sewage Committee, AMC. "Many of the clubs are organising rain dance and other rain-themed celebrations during Holi, where thousands of litres of water goes to waste. This is not justified, hence we will request the club owners to prevent such things."

Desai said that in the coming days, they would spread the message among citizens as well, and encourage them to celebrate a symbolic Holi. "Most people are wasting water. They have buckets filled with colored water. Then to wash those buckets and other vessels they are again using water. So they waste double water. People keep on throwing water unnecessarily," said Jagdish Patel, City Engineer, AMC.

This is the first time that the civic body has taken such a stance. "This seems like a precautionary measure. Such a message has never been circulated in the past. It clearly indicates that there is a water scarcity in the city. In the coming months, the citizens are going to have a tough time for water. No doubt, we should save water. But such message indicates tough time for future," said Surendra Baxi, a senior Congress councillor.

The civic body usually provides extra water during Holi. They have yet to take a call about that. "We haven't decided yet whether we will provide more water or not. As per daily requirement, we will provide water to city," said Patel.