JAIPUR: Water woes in Jaipur are expected to return soon as public health engineering department (PHED) still awaits permission to dig new tube wells for water supply.With water level of Bisalpur receding constantly due to its supply pressure, there would be soon little source of water for residents.An official source at PHED said, “To maintain the supply in Jaipur after scanty rainfall, the PHED took permission from administration to dig 279 new tube wells. However, as permission is still awaited, the problem is expected to arise. Also, now the project requires a nod from election commission steering committee.”An increase in demand for water in Jaipur at a time when availability is short has led to major problems for its residents. Even the PHED reduced the supply of water from Bisalpur due to less inflow in the dam this year, availability throughout the year would remain a challenge.“Bisalpur dam has reached 310.23 RL/ meter as against the full capacity of 315.5 RL/meter. As water in dam is reducing everyday. It could lead to serious threat ahead,”Bisalpur dam, as scanty rainfall this year has reduced the rain-water inflow into the dam. The department since last month is supplying water for 45 to 70 minutes daily, as against one to one-and-a-half hour. The dam, which is Jaipur’s lifeline, supplied 44 crore litres of drinking water daily earlier. As there was a negligible inflow, the supply was reduced to 35 crore litres.“Colonies situated at the tail-end of the pump houses are facing major water problem. It takes 15- 20 minutes water to reach in pipelines from stations. People are complaining that they are not getting proper supply in renaming time after supply is reduced,” added source.PHED claims the situation will be brought under control as process to restore 273 old tube wells is ongoing.However, residents from colonies across the city alleged that after the supply is reduced dependence on private tankers has increased. These tanker owners are taking advantage of the situation and are charging inflated rates.“The household need cannot be fulfilled with the water supplied by the PHED. We have to depend on tankers. Not only are the tankers coming late due to excess bookings, but they are also charging anything between Rs 200 to Rs 350,” said Raghav Jain of Sanganer area.

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