New Delhi, June 1: Residents of the Timarpur assembly constituency in New Delhi staged protests on Saturday over a severe water shortage. Local citizens and members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demonstrated with a “matka tod” (pot-breaking) protest from Vijay Nagar Block 8 Temple to Mother Dairy Road. They chanted slogans against Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, warning of intensified protests if the issue is not resolved quickly.
Local residents reported that the water scarcity has severely disrupted their daily lives. Many are forced to buy water, with prices reaching 50 rupees per can in some areas, placing an economic burden on poorer families.
Some women participating in the protest expressed that managing their households has become challenging due to the lack of water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning. They criticized the government for making grand promises during elections while the ground reality remains dire.
Residents noted that during the election campaign, assurances were made that there would be no water shortages in Delhi. However, the current situation is the opposite. In areas where water is available, it is either in very limited quantities or of such poor quality that it is unfit for drinking.
Pankaj Rai, the district president of Karawal Nagar, stated that the protests are a reflection of public anger. He mentioned that many colonies have not received water for the past 15 days, causing significant distress among residents. Rai accused the government of failing to address the issue seriously, despite promises made during the elections to resolve the water crisis.
He highlighted that while water tankers are dispatched to some areas, they are insufficient. Sending one or two tankers to densely populated regions cannot solve the problem, he argued. Furthermore, he noted that in some areas, dirty and contaminated water is being supplied, adversely affecting residents’ health. Many are falling ill, yet no concrete action has been taken by the administration.
Antul Kohli shared that his household has been without water for several days. He mentioned that residents are considering legal action, but the deteriorating situation has left them with no option but to protest on the streets.
Suman Tyagi, another protester, stated that the water issue has persisted for a month. She explained that people are buying water, which adds to their financial strain. Another resident, Mutthi Devi, expressed that participating in the protest with an empty pot has become a necessity due to the lack of water supply from taps.
Protesters have warned that if the water crisis is not addressed promptly, they will escalate their demonstrations. They demand immediate government intervention to ensure regular and clean water supply to every household.
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