Shimla’s looming water crisis: former Dy Mayor urges action and accountability

Shimla’s looming water crisis: former Dy Mayor urges action and accountability

Shimla, Jan 27,

Nestled amidst the picturesque hills of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla faces a silent threat – a water crisis brewing not from a lack of rain, but from mismanagement and misplaced trust, alleges former Dy Mayor of Shimla. For four months, the skies have remained unyielding, offering not a drop of life-giving rain. And yet, in this parched reality, the state government and Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) seem locked in a slumber, oblivious to the looming disaster.

Tikender Panwar, former Deputy Mayor, sounds the alarm. His letter to the Chief Secretary is a cry for action, a desperate plea to shake the administration from its stupor. He paints a grim picture of a jewel on the verge of losing its lustre – Shimla, threatened by a confluence of factors.
The first villain is the record-breaking dry spell, a scorching testament to climate change’s harsh grip. This unprecedented thirst cripples water sources, pushing several districts to the brink of desperation. “As you are aware, December 2023 and January 2024 are now documents to be the driest months in the last more than a century in the state and also in the Shimla catchment area,” stated Panwar in his letter. Adding, ” What does it mean? From Shimla water utility concerns, it should mean that there will be massive pressure on the state agencies to perform in the given situation. Already many districts have started reeling under water constraints. It won’t be too long when the water sources will start sending red signals of water depletion,” he rued.

Meanwhile, the ambitious Shimla development plan casts a long shadow, promising growth while silently siphoning precious water from an already depleted reservoir.
SJPNL, entrusted with safeguarding this vital resource, remains under a cloud of suspicion. Despite Panwar’s repeated warnings of their shortcomings, the government continues to hand them fresh projects. This blind trust, he argues, is like pouring water into a leaky bucket – a futile exercise that only hastens the inevitable deluge.
The proposed performance-based contract for water augmentation adds another layer of unease. The chosen company, with its checkered history, raises uncomfortable questions about cronyism and competence. Panwar urges for a rigorous assessment, a meritocratic selection process that prioritizes expertise and proven track records, not shady connections.
He doesn’t just point fingers; Panwar offers solutions. Swift completion of the World Bank-funded project is crucial, but so is efficiency. Bureaucratic red tape must be slashed, accountability instilled. Water conservation, the forgotten warrior, needs to be mobilized. Public awareness campaigns, mandatory rainwater harvesting, and an army of leak detectors – these are the weapons in this war against drought.
The Shimla development plan, recently cleared by Supreme court of India also likely to increase the more dire demand of water- sustainable approach for maintaining the water capacity. Sustainable construction methods, minimizing the project’s water footprint, must be the guiding principles. Every drop saved is a battle won.

This isn’t just about Shimla; it’s a cautionary tale for every city on the precipice of growth. Delaying action, clinging to flawed practices, is akin to watching a fire spread while fiddling with matches. The year 2017-18 water crisis is, a stark reminder of Shimla’s vulnerability, should serve as a chilling prophecy.
The time for apathy is over. Transparency, accountability, and collective action are the only tools that can avert the looming disaster. Shimla’s future, and the future of every water-stressed city, hangs in the balance. Will we rise to the challenge, or will we drown in our own inaction? former Deputy Mayor questioned.