Rampant use of illegal motors draining water from city: MC

CHANDIGARH: The ongoing water crisis in the city, including problems of low pressure and contamination may have been precipitated by illegal installation of electric water pumping motors by residents in almost every rehabilitation colony and sector. Sources in the MC engineering wing said residents have even encroached upon government lands near their houses in many parts of the city.
In a detailed study, it was found that a large number of city residents have punctured main water supply pipelines and installed electrical motors to get water. "In almost all areas where rehabilitation colonies exist, such water supply pipelines have been passing through areas adjoining residences. People in these areas have constructed permanent structures by enhancing their boundaries by covering the area from where pipes pass.
After that, they have punctured the pipeline and installed motors on them. People in Maloya, Daddumajra, Mouli Jagran, Ramdarbar, Hallomajra and many other rehabilitation colonies have adopted such tactics", said a senior official of the MC engineering wing.
Confirming the practice, city mayor Subash Chawla said, "Not only residents of rehabilitation colonies, even well-off people living in big houses in sectors, have installed motors on main water pipelines after puncturing the pipes. This not only sucks water of neighbouring residences, but also heightens the risk of contamination. We are seriously planning to curb this illegal practice by incorporating the clause in water bylaws, where such violators will be punished under the law." Engineers of the MC engineering wing said when motors suck water with tight pressure, it also sucks debris (left over) in water pipes, which contaminates water, making it unfit for consumption.