Shimla, June 18
Even with the current supply of approximately 35 MLD, equitable water distribution of 100 liters of water per person daily for the city’s 3.5 lakh resident could be maintained.This was stated by
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) who raised serious concerns over the escalating drinking water crisis in Shimla. In a statement issued today, party district secretary and former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan criticized Shimla Jal Prabhandhan Limited (SJPNL) for failing to enhance the water supply scheme despite adequate provisions from the civic body.
Chauhan accused SJPNL of a discriminatory “pick and choose” policy, favoring VIPs and hotels over public places. He called for equitable water distribution to ensure the general public has adequate drinking water. Chauhan urged the government to form a committee led by public representatives and responsible officials to monitor water distribution at the grassroots level.
He highlighted that most parts of Shimla receive water only every 4 to 6 days, causing significant hardship for residents. The crisis has been exacerbated by severe heat, drought conditions, and a surge in tourist numbers, leading to a sharp increase in water demand. This is the reason that the routine supply of 33 to 39 million liters per day (MLD) falls short of the required 45 MLD,noted Chauhan.
A person uses around 100 liters of water of water per day however rationing with a one-day gap could potentially double this amount, he noted.
Blaming SJPNL for creating an artificial water crisis through improper distribution, Chauhan criticized both the previous BJP and the current Congress city governments for failing to address the issue adequately. He pointed out that a project approved in 2017 under the CPM leadership, which aimed to supply an additional 65 MLD of water from the Sutlej at a cost of $125 million (950 crore rupees) funded by the World Bank, has seen no progress.
The party demanded that the drinking water project from the Sutlej be expedited and completed promptly to alleviate the water crisis, ensuring sufficient supply for both residents and the increasing number of tourists.
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