Lack of funds to procure fuel for operating generators at water boosting stations in Mohali has resulted in water supply disruptions during power outages.
Mohali deputy mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi alleged that the generators installed to power water boosters have remained non-functional to date.
Public health department officials claimed that lack of financial resources to buy fuel for generators has led to public grievances regarding the absence of water supply during power cuts.
Bedi said despite investing crores of rupees in constructing water boosters for the citizens’ convenience, the generators, worth crores, installed to energize water booster motors have proven ineffective whenever there is a power failure or outage.
On investigating the matter, Bedi discovered that the public health department officials attribute the issue to waiver of water bills, leaving the department devoid of funds to operate generators during power outages. The department lacks even financial means to purchase fuel for the generators.
Bedi highlighted that during summer and rainy seasons, there are frequent power cuts, resulting in the cessation of water supply from these boosters due to non-functional generators. He emphasized that the lack of drinking water supply has left people struggling. Councillors receive constant complaints from constituents, he added.
He mentioned that five boosters were constructed in Mohali during the previous government’s tenure, operating in different phases, with the water collected in storage tankers being supplied smoothly. However, in the event of power failures, these boosters cease to function because the generators installed to run them have become mere white elephants.
Bedi urged the public health department officials to promptly start these generators in case of power outages and called upon the department to secure funds from the Punjab government through its resources or explore alternative arrangements. He cautioned that if this issue persists, the public’s grievances will escalate into protests against the department.
