PHED supplying 1,050 tankers daily; last year the figure was less than 300.
With elections just a month away, the public health engineering department (PHED) is trying to keep the locals happy. How?
The tanker service meant for supplying water in the city during the peak summer months is still on. In fact, it is making more trips than it did in time of need.
PHED officials said that in recent days, the tankers were making 1,050 trips every day. This number during the corresponding period last year was less than 300.
During May and June last year, 950 trips were made in the city every day. The number was maintained during the summer season of 2013, said the PHED officials of city circle.
Officials added that during Diwali festival, the department always takes care of water needs of the residents. But sources said that Assembly elections are one of the main reasons for the continued service, which usually stops at the onset of monsoon.
“The tankers are making trips because of increased demand due to the festive season,” claimed Dinesh Sharma, additional chief engineer, PHED.
Only the slum clusters get water through tankers during these months, and the requests of other consumers have never been heeded. The high number of tanker trips also raises the question as who is consuming all this water, as the demand for water in city is almost constant with no rise in temperature.
“Most tankers are being sent to the slum areas, as middle-class consumers usually call private tankers,” said a source.
In fact, post-monsoon, there is no scarcity of water in the city, and enough water is available, however, the pressure may be low in several areas.
With Assembly elections scheduled for December 1, the tankers are just a call away for the consumers, who are making good use of the service in case of a shortage.
Down the drain
The high number of tanker trips also raises the question as who is consuming all this water, as the demand for water in city is almost constant with no rise in temperature
In fact, post-monsoon, there is no scarcity of water in the city. There is enough supply from Bisalpur Dam
Sources said elections are one of the main reasons for increasing number of tankers.
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