New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed DDA to measure through flow metres the water it is supplying to Dwarka residents, saying there is no clarity on that aspect.
A bench of justices BD Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul issued the direction after residents of Dwarka complained of inadequate water supply despite commissioning of 10 additional bore wells by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in that area recently.
Concerned over whether water being drawn from the bore wells is being supplied to Dwarka residents or sold through water tankers, the court directed installation of flow metres in the main command tanks which are getting water from the tube wells.
"Eight borewells have been connected to command tank 4 in sector 20 of Dwarka. Two other borewells are connected to command tank 2 in sector 12. Only rough estimates have been suggested regarding water supply. We feel extent of water collected in these tanks should be metered and amount of supply should be indicated."
"In respect of the four bore wells which are being used to fill water tankers to supply far off areas in Dwarka, it has to be indicated how much water is being supplied through the tankers. Affidavit indicating the above be filed before the next date of hearing," the court said.
While directing metering of the water supply, the bench said, "We want measurement by flow metres and not by height. When there is scientific equipment available, why don't you use it?"
It also directed DDA to keep a log of how much power is used by them to run the tube wells as well as the duration of its operation so that in case of any query regarding water supply, all the data can be provided. During the proceedings, DDA placed before the court its affidavit indicating location of all the 14 operational bore wells in Dwarka with pictures as directed by the bench earlier.
It submitted before the court that 10 of the borewells are connected to main command tanks where water is filled by using submersible motors for 12-14 hours and remaining four are used to fill water tankers which supply far off areas of Dwarka.
It also informed the court that each borewell generates 12,000 litres of water per hour. However, residents of the area questioned whether the bore wells are operational as they were not getting any supply.
DDA, meanwhile, also assured the court that it will increase from three to five the number of tankers supplying the EPDP CGHS society, which is a petitioner in the matter.
EPDP has contended that despite having the highest number of flats in Dwarka, it is supplied through tankers the same amount of water as given to smaller societies, after which DDA assured it will increase the number of tankers.
The bench was hearing the two separate pleas of Delhi EPDP CGHS and Dwarka Forum which have moved the court seeking directions to the authorities, including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), to provide more water to the area.
The two organisations, representing residents of Dwarka, have contended that they require 17.5 MGD of water. They have said they were earlier getting 3 MGD of water which increased to 4 MGD after about six bore-wells were dug by DDA in the area.
DJB had told the court that it is providing around 4 MGD water to Dwarka, through DDA, from its water treatment plant at Nangloi and apart from that they are getting about 2 MGD from other sources.
It had also said that a 40 MGD water treatment plant, set up at a cost of over Rs 800 crore, has been built in Dwarka and is awaiting water from Munak canal for it to become operational.
It had said once the plant becomes operational, it will solve the water woes of Dwarka.
