Posh South Delhi localities face water shortages, contaminated supply

Residents in Malviya Nagar and Gulmohar Park say they are grappling with erratic and tainted water supply. The complaints highlight how summer demand is straining both access and quality in South Delhi.

In Short

• Malviya Nagar residents receive water briefly at unpredictable hours
• Gulmohar Park reports foul-smelling, contaminated water supply
• Dependence on groundwater grows as Delhi Jal Board supply declines

As Delhi reels under intense summer heat, residents in several parts of South Delhi are struggling with water-related problems, ranging from acute shortages to complaints of contaminated supply.

In Malviya Nagar, residents say they are receiving water for only brief periods and at unpredictable hours, forcing many families to wake up before dawn and store water to meet their daily needs. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Gulmohar Park, concerns have shifted from water availability to the quality of the water being supplied, with residents alleging that foul-smelling and contaminated water continues to flow into some homes.

Residents of E-Block in Malviya Nagar say uncertainty over water supply timings has disrupted their daily routines. Sulekha, a local resident, said she wakes up at around 5 am every day to wait for water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

According to her, there is no fixed schedule for supply, and even when water does arrive, it is available for barely half an hour. The limited supply forces residents to store water for their families and any guests visiting their homes, as the next supply often comes only after 24 hours.

The situation has proven particularly difficult for elderly residents. Bhagwati, around 85 years old, said she too has to wake up early every morning to ensure she does not miss the supply. She complained that the quantity of water available is often insufficient to meet even basic household requirements.

DEPENDENCE ON GROUNDWATER GROWS

Residents say the shortage has forced many households to look for alternative sources of water. Vandana, another resident of E-Block, said there have been occasions when she had to extend a pipe to a nearby park to collect water.

Local resident Prem claimed that Delhi Jal Board supply in the area has become negligible and alleged that the locality has increasingly become dependent on groundwater to meet daily needs.

He also claimed that water supply had been reduced over the years, leaving residents more vulnerable during peak summer months.

GULMOHAR PARK RESIDENTS FLAG WATER QUALITY CONCERNS

In Gulmohar Park, residents say water availability has improved compared to previous years, but concerns over water quality remain.

Locals claimed that foul-smelling and dirty water is still being supplied in parts of the locality, raising fears about potential health risks.

Residents said the issue has persisted despite repeated complaints and has become a major concern for families relying on the supply for daily use.

DJB INSTALLS REAL-TIME MONITORING SYSTEM

To address the issue, the Delhi Jal Board has launched a pilot project in Gulmohar Park involving a real-time water quality monitoring system.

The system continuously tracks the quality of water being supplied to the area and provides data on parameters including Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and other quality indicators.

Officials say the monitoring mechanism is intended to help identify contamination or irregularities quickly and enable timely intervention whenever water quality issues are detected.

With temperatures remaining high and demand for water rising across the capital, residents in parts of South Delhi say they are hoping for a more reliable and cleaner supply in the weeks ahead.

- Ends