WATER CRISIS GRIPS DWARKA AS SUMMER PEAKS

As the sun beats down harder each day, residents of Dwarka, once hailed as a model sub-city of Delhi,

find themselves facing a familiar and distressing challenge- water scarcity. What was thought to be a resolved issue has now come back to haunt thousands of families across sectors in summers. Just a few years ago, it was the tireless efforts of the Federation of Cooperative Group Housing Societies (CGHS) Dwarka under the leadership of Sudha Sinha, Mg Editor Dwarka City, that brought respite to the water-starved sub-city. At the time, water supply was not only irregular but also contaminated, leaving residents frustrated and helpless. The Federation had then taken the issue head- on filing petitions, conducting dharnas, holding negotiations with top officials of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and demanding that the responsibility of water distribution be formally handed over from DDA to DJB. And it worked. A modern water treatment plant was commissioned, pipelines were laid, and water began flowing into homes with reliability and improved quality.

But as with many civic victories in our cities, the success proved to be temporary. Today, with Dwarka's population rising sharply and temperatures soaring, the water crisis has returned and this time, with a vengeance. Residents of sectors like 22, 23, 19, 12, 11, 10, 6, 5 and 4 and even parts of Sector-7 and Sector-3 are grappling with low pressure, erratic timings and in many cases, a complete halt in supply.

Life Reduced to Buckets and Barrels-

In Sector-6, residents wake up at dawn not to the comfort of a routine, but to a race for water. “Until

last year, we received water twice a day and even that was manageable,” says Kavita Malhotra, a homemaker from DDA flats. “Now it comes at 4 a.m., that too for barely 20 minutes. It’s like a cruel lottery - sometimes we get water, sometimes nothing at all.” In nearby Sector-4, the problem is worse. Rohit Srivastava, explains how families have started storing water in bulk using large drums, buckets, and even repurposed paint containers. “We’ve gone back in time - this feels like the early 2000s when water was a daily crisis. And what’s more painful is, after all the infrastructure upgrades, we’re back to square one,” he said. Tankers: Lifeline or Loot?- While the Delhi Jal Board has dispatched water tankers to ease the situation, many residents allege that the service is being misused and monetized. Tankers that are supposed to supply water free of cost under DJB’s emergency service often demand hefty payments. “We were asked to pay ₹1,200 for a single tanker trip. This is not just wrong - it’s exploitation,” said a school teacher and resident of Sector- 19's Suryodaya Apartments. “When you don’t have water to bathe your children or cook meals, what choice do you have but to pay?” In some areas, residents claim they’ve been blacklisted from tanker routes for refusing to pay bribes. “One official tanker driver told us, ‘If you want regular water, you’ll have to keep the drivers happy’,” said an elderly resident of Sector-3 who wished to remain anonymous.

Rising Demand, Stagnant Supply- The core issue appears to be the mismatch between Dwarka’s rising population and its static infrastructure. New high-rises and expanding residential colonies have come up in every sector, while the water supply hasn’t been augmented to meet the increased demand. “Dwarka has changed - it’s now a densely populated urban zone, not a quiet sub-city. Yet, water management hasn’t kept pace,” says Anil Chopra, of Sector-22. “We need a completely new plan - including recycling, increased borewells, and upgraded pipelines.” RWAs Speaks Out Again In response to the growing crisis, many RWAs and MCs and social organisation has once again mobilized. Letters have been sent to DJB stating, “Water is not a luxury. It's a right.” To address the ongoing water crisis effectively, several immediate measures have been proposed. First and foremost is the urgent augmentation of existing water supply lines to ensure adequate distribution across all sectors. Alongside this, the deployment of free water tankers under the strict supervision of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been recommended, with clear accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse and ensure timely delivery. Equally important is the upgradation of old and inefficient pipelines, particularly in low-pressure zones, to improve water flow and reduce wastage. Additionally, it has been suggested that sector-wise water supply schedules be publicly displayed to keep residents informed and allow them to plan their usage accordingly. These steps aim to provide immediate relief while laying the foundation for a more sustainable water management system in Dwarka. In the meantime, residents continue to suffer in silence. “Children are skipping baths, elders are falling sick and domestic routines are in chaos,” laments Renu Pathak, a working mother in Sector-12.

“What kind of capital city is this where we still need to beg for water?” The water crisis in Dwarka is more than a civic failure - it's a question of human dignity. For a sub-city once envisioned as a beacon of planned development, it is both ironic and tragic that basic needs like water remain unmet. As the mercury rises and tempers fray, one can only hope that authorities will finally hear the cries of a community running dry. In the meantime, residents are learning to live with storage buckets, tanker schedules, and growing uncertainty.

Will Dwarka ever be truly quenched? Or will its residents remain trapped in a cycle of promises and parched pipelines? Dwarka residents share their views-

The cooperative group housing societies in Dwarka are grappling with a severe drinking water crisis, largely attributed to the Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) policies and inefficient water management. Despite being one of the most prominent residential hubs in Delhi, Dwarka faces significant challenges in accessing clean drinking water.

Causes of the Water Crisis- Inadequate Water Supply -: The DJB's inability to ensure a consistent water supply has resulted in frequent disruptions, affecting residents' daily lives. A recent breach at the carrier-lined canal branch has left some areas without water supply for several days.

Pollution of Water Sources: High ammonia levels in the Yamuna River have impacted water treatment plants, reducing their capacity to produce clean drinking water. This issue is further exacerbated by the discharge of toxic waste from small and medium industries into the river. Inefficient Water Management: The DJB's inefficient water management has led to water rationing strategies, affecting many areas in Delhi including Dwarka. Inter-State Water Disputes: Delhi's reliance on neighboring states for water supply has led to disputes over water allocation, further complicating the crisis. Impact on Residents: Health Issues: The reduced availability of clean water has increased the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly in marginalized communities. Economic Strain: The dependence on water tankers for domestic needs can be unreliable and costly, leading to further economic strain for residents. Productivity Loss: Frequent illnesses due to poor hygiene and sanitation have impacted productivity, affecting residents' economic well-being and academic opportunities. Solutions to Address the Water Crisis: Water Conservation and Management: Implementing measures to conserve water, such as fixing leaks and promoting water-efficient appliances, can help alleviate the crisis. Technological Interventions: The DJB's use of field sensors and smart meters can enable remote and real-time monitoring of water distribution networks, improving efficiency.

Infrastructure Development: Increasing investment in water infrastructure and improving the DJB's operational efficiency can help enhance water supply. Community Participation: Organizing awareness campaigns and promoting rainwater harvesting can help

reduce the demand on existing water sources.

Secretary, Shakti CGHS Ltd, Sector-5

Water is not just a resource; it’s the essence of life. Water is the basic necessity of every human being. However, despite abundance on the globe, the issue of water scarcity is rising rapidly. We often talk/read about ‘water stress’ in a global parlance, which means occurrence of scarcity when demand for safe, usable water in a given area exceeds the supply. On a country level, the problem has become so severe that in many states the groundwater has almost dried up and people have to depend on water supply from other sources. On a local level for a city, the scarcity or stress if we want to call it holds true in the current scenario as well. Growing population, urbanization and lack of proper water management systems. In addition, wastage of water remains the most ignored form of resource mismanagement. Despite growing awareness around environmental issues, water - a vital and finite natural resource - is often taken for granted. From dripping taps and overuse in households to inefficient practices, water wastage continues unchecked. Earlier, people understood the value of water and planned their lives around it. But today, in spite of having knowledge, we still fail to understand the value of water in our lives. It is the central point of our lives but unfortunately, not our priority concern. Imagine waking up one day, getting ready for work, only to find out that there’s no water in your tap? This can be a reality soon if we do not pay attention on the resource management and consumption patterns. The saying goes - “When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” Just for reference or context, a report from a reputed research highlights that there were 44 lakes and 355 ponds about 10-15 years back and only half of these remain as the other half have either dried up or were lost to urbanization, pollution and over-consumption. Back in 2012, Delhi Jal Board conducted a survey, according to which the water treatment and supply capacity of Delhi was 3,231.9 Million Litres per Day (MLD). However, the water demand of the city, at 3,859 MLD, was much higher - this means that a large number of people in Delhi faced acute water shortage during the year! Though things seem to have improved over the last few years in terms of mobilizing the supply of water from other sources (like Haryana), but the core issue of streamlined availability and water wastage still persist. In Dwarka, the residents have been trying to manage their water demand by procuring water from government tankers or purchasing water from private tankers. The water supplied by tankers is uncertain and the availability of such tankers also seems to be diminishing by the day. Needless to say, that such shortage also leads to escalated costs of procurement of water which will eventually have to be born by the residents. From a resident’s perspective, it’s either no water or water at a higher cost, where a resident has no other option than to bear the additional cost. One must also note that investment in water infrastructure is costly; requires substantial human, energy and material resources; is limited by natural conditions such as geographic location and topography. While the authorities are focussing on sourcing, transportation and investments in various projects, the residents can contribute to significant reduction of this scarcity by being aware, responsible and through some innovation. The foremost and immediate step the residents in houses / complex (society) can do is to check on dripping taps and replace them, avoid running taps which is a usual habit while washing dishes/clothes or hands. Though these actions seem minute, but research suggests that these actions save thousands of litres of water wastage. One of the most silent yet significant contributors to urban water wastage is leakage in pipelines — often hidden underground or within walls, going unnoticed for long periods. A regular audit and maintenance program is essential to identify and fix these leaks, thereby conserving considerable amount of water annually. Steps for such prompt action include - prompt repair, efficient reporting system and use of durable materials like replacing old, corroded pipes with long-lasting, non-corrosive alternatives. Installation of water tank alarms to avoid overflowing of water, which would otherwise have been wasted, would also lead to reduction in electricity consumption, minimize water damage to walls and roofs. These devices alert users when the water tank is about to overflow, helping to avoid unnecessary spillage and conserve this precious resource. Shift green spaces of gardens to sprinkler systems instead of conventional water supply through a hose pipe manually. Schedule watering during early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation. We can also explore the options of treating locally the water from sinks, showers and laundry and reusing them for gardening / flushing. Implementing a rainwater harvesting system is a forward-thinking and sustainable solution to address water scarcity, reduce dependency on municipal supply, and promote responsible water management. It involves collecting, storing and using rainwater that falls on rooftops and open spaces. Instead of letting it flow into drains, this water is diverted through pipes and filtered into storage tanks or recharge pits. There might be apprehensions on the initial capital costs but it can reduce water bills substantially in the long run. From a policy and regulation point of view, complexes can look at conducting annual water audits, imposing penalties for water wastage or conversely offer incentives or rebates for adopting water efficient fixtures or practices. On a broader horizon, we can support groundwater recharge by adopting mindful construction practices or modifying the existing concrete/marble structure during repair. Examples of these mechanisms include replacing concrete and tiles in open areas with permeable or porous materials which allow rainwater to seep into the ground rather than running off into drains, incorporating recharge wells in parking lots or garden areas, avoid excess paving around trees and green zones to aid water absorption. While policies, infrastructure upgrades and technology play a vital role in managing water sustainably, their success ultimately depends on people. Without active public awareness and participation, even the best systems can fail. Although water supply may be significantly affected in the future by climate change as a result of varying precipitation and increasing temperature, water demand may increase over time due to rapid urbanization. It is therefore evident that water conservation is not the job of the government alone.  

President - BJ CGHS

Dwarka City Newspaper deserves sincere appreciation for consistently publishing news and views on pressing civic issues, particularly the growing water crisis being faced by residents across various societies in Dwarka, including Prabha Apartments. Such journalistic efforts are instrumental in raising awareness and encouraging proactive community engagement. Needonomics School of Thought (NST) views water not merely as a resource, but as a shared responsibility. In the context of Prabha Apartments, it is encouraging to note that the active leadership of Ms. Madhu Kumar has been actively involved in monitoring the water situation and implementing preventive measures. This includes leak detection, regulating supply timings and educating residents on water-saving practices. NST advocates for "Needo-consumption"-a mindful and ethical approach to using resources, especially something as vital as water. This pragmatism urges residents to move away from wasteful habits driven by convenience or ignorance, and instead embrace consumption patterns aligned with genuine needs. It reminds us that every drop saved is a step toward sustainability and communal well-being. The water crisis is not just a government or society-level issue; it is a call for responsible behavior from each individual. By fostering a culture of cooperation and collective responsibility, communities like Prabha Apartments can set an example in sustainable living. Let us recognize the role of conscious citizenship, informed media, and need-based economics in addressing the water challenge before it becomes irreversible. Together, through Needo-Consumption of water, we can ensure water security for today and tomorrow.

Prof. M. M. Goel, VC, Prabha Apartments

Water scarcity in Dwarka is no longer a distant threat-it is a pressing daily reality for many of our residential societies. With each passing summer, the problem deepens, leaving residents anxious and frustrated. The supply from Delhi Jal Board (DJB) through main lines is increasingly inadequate. Tankers, the supposed backup lifeline, are scarce and often delayed. In desperation, societies turn to private suppliers-only to face another blockade: official restrictions on their operations. This puts residents in a double bind-insufficient public supply and restricted private options. Water that is allocated for Dwarka is allegedly being diverted to other zones, including the airport and nearby unauthorized colonies. Unregulated theft through illegal connections only worsens the shortfall. As a glaring example, a structure in Sector-12, despite being declared unauthorized and marked for demolition, continues to tap into DJB water without consequence. These compounding issues demand immediate attention: • Equitable Distribution: There needs to be transparency and fairness in water allocation, ensuring residential needs are prioritized over non-essential diversions. • Enhanced Monitoring: Crackdowns on illegal connections and stricter enforcement against water theft must be implemented. • Infrastructure Upgrades: Modernizing the water supply system to meet the growing demands of Dwarka’s population is crucial. • Policy Reforms: A clearer policy that allows regulated private tanker services during shortages would bring relief and reduce black-market dependency. • Community Engagement: Resident welfare associations must be included in planning, monitoring, and grievance redressal processes. This is a call to action—not just for the authorities, but for residents, civil society, and local leaders. Access to safe, sufficient water is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right. Dwarka’s communities deserve better.

P. Menon, Sector-12