Panchkula's Sector 15 Reels Under Severe Water Shortage, Residents Accuse Authorities of Apathy
The residents of Sector 15 in Panchkula are enduring a severe and persistent water crisis, with the Citizens Welfare Association (CWA) leveling serious allegations of neglect against the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). For years, complaints have fallen on deaf ears, leading to a deteriorating situation that affects daily life.
Erratic Supply and Inadequate Pressure
As per the CWA, the sector is plagued by an erratic water supply, critically low pressure, and significantly curtailed supply hours. This is especially acute during the designated morning and evening timings of 5 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 9 pm.
The association highlighted a stark disparity in the service levels. Those living on the first and second floors often receive no fresh water supply at all, while even ground-floor residents struggle with a trickle due to inadequate pressure. This stands in sharp contrast to the reliable, full-pressure water supply enjoyed by residents in neighboring Sectors 6, 7, and 8 for the full eight-hour duration.
A Crisis Ignored and a Final Straw
The situation reached a boiling point on November 15, when the water supply reportedly began late and ended prematurely. This triggered an outpouring of frustration on a residents' WhatsApp group, with many describing the scenario as "pitiable."
CWA President S K Nayar confirmed that these messages were immediately forwarded to top HSVP officials, demanding urgent preventive action. The residents' primary demand is for Sector 15 to be provided with a water supply on par with the neighboring sectors—eight hours of full-pressure water daily.
Despite repeated complaints, the association stated that no timely response was received from the HSVP. According to the CWA, action was initiated only after the intervention of higher authorities.
The Demand for a Permanent Solution
Residents have reiterated their call for a permanent fix and a clear roadmap to strengthen the water supply infrastructure. The CWA pointed out that Sector 15 is one of the most densely populated areas in Panchkula, housing over 21,000 residents, yet the water infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
The sector currently relies on two underground water tanks with capacities of 8 lakh and 3 lakh litres. However, these have proven insufficient to maintain adequate pressure. The continued dependence on waterworks located in Industrial Area Phase 1 leads to frequent delays, reduced supply hours, and persistent low pressure.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, Nayar, along with CWA members V K Jain, A K Walia, U K Gupta, Shahzad Khan, and Vinay Kumar, has sought an urgent meeting with HSVP Chief Administrator Chander Shekhar Khare.
The CWA insists that the only viable, long-term solution is the construction of an overhead water tank in Sector 15. They argue that additional underground tanks will not resolve the core issue of pressure, which cannot be maintained without an elevated structure. They have urged the HSVP to take their suggestions seriously and implement immediate corrective measures.
