BJP slams govt for sealing borewells, tubewells

New Delhi: Delhi BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta on Saturday accused the Arvind Kejriwal government of sealing or closing borewells, tubewells and hand pumps without providing any alternative arrangement for supply of potable water.

“Initially Kejriwal government forced the people of the national capital to use these sources for drinking water. However, when this problem became serious, these sources were closed without making any alternative arrangements for supply of potable water,” Mr Gupta alleged.

According to Mr Gupta, as per the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) dated January 31, in hundreds of slum clusters in the city — where the Delhi government itself supplies water through borewells — notices are being displayed at majority of the pumps that their water is not fit for human consumption. 

“But the government has made no alternative arrangements for supply of water to these slum clusters inhabited by the poor. These clusters are located across the national capital. Lakhs of people are yearning for water as Delhi government has made no alternative arrangement of drinking water for these people,” Mr Gupta added.

He demanded that the Kejriwal government ensure that adequately clean potable water is arranged by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for areas affected by sources of water being sealed or shut due to contamination.

“People do not want borewells, tubewells, or hand pumps to be installed to use contaminated water from the sources. People are forced to use contaminated water from these sources as Delhi government has failed to supply adequate water to them. Notices with ‘red cross mark’ are also being displayed on hand pumps to warn people that the water is not fit for drinking. Wherever it is not feasible to supply potable water, adequate water tankers should be sent to supply water in such areas,” he said.