As summer begins, water scarcity hits Jaipur

JAIPUR: Jaipur is facing water crisis from last two weeks. Residents complained that they were not getting water supply for the last three days, many said that supply period has reduced to half.

Devraj Solanki, additional chief engineer, Jaipur region (II) said that the department has reduced the water supply due to less rainfall last year and shortage of water in Bisalpur dam.

In 2018, on an average 450 MLD water was supplied to the city, which is now reduced to 307 MLD per day. The present water level in Bisalpur dam is 307.52 meters and its present volume is 5.22 TMC. Solanki added that if water supply will be able to continue with this average, basic water requirement could be fed until August.

The Bisalpur dam fulfills about half the city’s drinking water requirement. But the supply through this dam is shrinking year by year. In 2017, it used to supply on average of 540 MLD of water which reduced to 450 MLD in 2018 and in 2019 it has reduced to 307 MLD.

As per officials, the dam supplies water not only to Jaipur, but also to Ajmer and Tonk. Present situation is that, water available from the Bisalpur dam can be supplied until August. From September onwards, it will face difficulties if there is no significant rainfall.

Deepa Chauhan, a resident of Malviya Nagar said that they are getting interrupted water supply. She said, “We are suffering from water shortage from last ten days. To meet the water requirement we have to call for private tankers and are forced to pay from pockets. From last two weeks we have to call private water suppliers which charge around Rs 400 to Rs 500.”