Due to the scorching heat and heatwave conditions in the city, residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib are facing a severe water crisis. Panic and chaos have gripped the city as the water supply from the Water Works has been completely halted. Household water storage tanks and reservoirs have run dry, severely disrupting daily life. Prominent city leaders and councilors have raised sharp questions regarding the administration’s handling of this critical issue.
No response for a week
Advocate Baldev Singh Sivia, former President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), expressed deep concern, noting that the city’s water supply has been completely stalled for the past week. He alleged that while the public is scrambling for water, no government official is willing to listen to their grievances. Describing the ground reality, former councilor Jimmy Fattanwala expressed astonishment that the main reservoirs at the Water Works are full, yet household storage tanks remain empty. He pointed out that the need for water increases manifold during this hot season. The situation has become so dire that, let alone humans, there is no drinking water available even for voiceless animals.
Department making excuses
Social activist Karamjit Karma exposed the department’s lax attitude, noting that last month, water supply was withheld citing a canal closure upstream. Now, even though the reservoirs are full, officials are shirking their responsibilities by using a staff strike as an excuse. He warned that if the supply is not restored immediately, he would be compelled to launch a fierce agitation alongside the public. The Biggest Blow: Groundwater Unfit for Drinking
The geographical reality and primary challenge facing Sri Muktsar Sahib is that its groundwater is extremely saline, poor in quality, and contaminated. This water is entirely unfit for drinking, nor can it be used for daily household chores like washing clothes. Residents rely solely on the government water supply system. Consequently, the suspension of this supply has severely exacerbated their hardships, forcing them to purchase water from the market at high prices.
Siege of the XEN’s Office and Perspectives from Both Sides
Exasperated by the situation, the residents’ patience finally ran out; a large number of people gathered at the office of the Executive Engineer (XEN) to stage a protest and submit a formal written demand.
What the Striking Employees Say
When contacted, the striking employees stated that they had long been appealing to the department and higher authorities regarding their legitimate demands. However, having been ignored repeatedly, they were compelled to resort to this intense form of protest (the strike).
