Hot Summer and Aging Pipelines Blamed for Daily Shortage Across Sector I and II
Residents of Salt Lake City’s Sector I and II have launched a series of peaceful protests and complaint drives after facing severe water shortages for over a week, with multiple blocks receiving tanker supply only once every two days.
Several housing complexes in blocks AD, AE, BJ, and BD have reported dry taps, erratic timings, and low water pressure. The crisis has worsened due to the ongoing heatwave and rising demand.
Civic Officials Cite Aging Infrastructure
Officials from the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have acknowledged the issue, blaming it on:
- Aging underground pipelines over 30 years old
- Increased water use during peak summer
- Delays in pipeline maintenance tenders
“We are currently supplying via tankers and working on temporary bypass lines,” said a BMC engineer. “A full pipeline overhaul will take time.”
Residents Demand Permanent Solution
Frustrated locals held posters reading “We Pay, We Deserve Water” outside the BMC office on Sunday. Many families have turned to buying private water at ₹1,000–₹1,200 per tanker, adding pressure to household budgets.
“We haven’t had morning water for four days. My children can’t even shower before school,” said Sunita Mukherjee, a resident of BD Block.
Several housing societies are planning to file a collective RTI and escalate the matter to the Urban Development Department.
Nearby Zones Also Affected
In addition to Salt Lake, similar complaints have emerged from:
- Lake Town (Kolkata North)
- Baguihati and Kestopur
- New Town Action Area I (sporadic cases)
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has issued an alert for reduced water pumping hours in selected eastern zones due to maintenance at the Tallah pumping station.
