Water scarcity: MLA gheraoed

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 2. The ``gherao'' of the Nasirpur MLA, Mr. Mahabal Mishra, by local citizens on Monday angry over the acute water shortage is an indication of what is in the offing for others at the hands of the harassed people, reeling under severe water scarcity, power cuts and sweltering heat.

In a related incident, residents of Durga Park locality in Nasirpur constituency attacked a Delhi Jal Board tanker which had gone there. Sensing the mood of the consumers, the tanker driver fled the scene. Such incidents are a clear indicator of the prevailing crisis.

Only last week viollence had broken out in South Delhi against unscheduled power cuts and loadshedding by Delhi Vidyut Board. Although DVB officials sought to blame shortage to lower availability from Northern Grid, the truth is that the situation is also not bright on its own front. All talk of action plan for the summer has fallen flat. The patience of the public seems to be wearing thin.

It is believed that violent protests by consumers in the last week of April is only the beginning of a scary scenario. With summer yet to peak, the situation can best be imagined.

The failure of DVB complaint centres and the breakdown machinery to respond on time has led to violent situation. ``If this trend continues, MLAs would be confined to their houses. People are concerned about power and water. If it is not provided, there is a possibility they could turn violent,'' a senior MLA remarked.

Mr. Mishra said he had been trying hard to tie up with Delhi Jal Board officials to sort out their problems regarding water supply in his area.

Mr. Mishra said if things do not improve, the situation could well go out of control and the people may start targeting Delhi Jal Board machinery as well.

On the power situation, a number of MLAs from West and East Delhi alleged that the DVB authorities were not adhering to the loadshedding schedule.``There is no harm if the power cuts are imposed in a regulated manner. Everybody is ready to share if it is done properly. But things start getting out of hand when either the system does not respond or there is a deliberate delay in setting things right,'' an MLA remarked. They felt that a lot of effort has to be put in to fine-tune the grievance redressal system.

In fact, MLAs are sore they are also not informed about the loadshedding schedule by DVB authorities. ``The DVB chairman and other senior officials have no other business but to blame the MLAs for power-theft and corruption in the department. This is ridiculous. To begin with they should set their own house in order before pointing an accusing finger at us,'' remarked another MLA.

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