[Resolved]  Delhi Jal Board A Great Dictator — Blockage of sewer due to land sinking

CITIZEN RIGHTS
( SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION )Regd.
Regd.Office: C-7/216, Lawrence Road, Keshav Puram, Delhi-35
Ph. No : [protected], [protected] www.citizenrights.org.
email :[protected]@gmail.com, genl_sect.[protected]@rediffmail.com
( Voluntary Organization for the care of Citizens )

R.K. GULATI
General Secretary- Citizen Rights.
President – Consumers forum (North Zone).
Exect. Member-Holy Ganga Edu.& Cul.Society.

No. CR/06/2008/13 Dated : 21.06.2008


To

The Zonal Engineer( NW-III) III
Office of the Zonal Engineer
Kanhiya Nagar, Tri Nagar
Delhi-110035


Subject:- Notice under Section 19 (1) & 20 (2) of Delhi Jal Board Act -1998

Sir,

Kindly refer to your aforesaid notice supplied to undersigned and handed over to residents of Keshav Puram in the noon of 20.6.2008 threatening that if the water pipe lines are not be replaced within 48 hours, the water connection will be disconnected from the flats of Keshav Puram Area.

In this connection I am on the behalf of the residents of the Keshav Puram Area hereby forwarding their grievances and to request you to reply our following questions which are as under:-

Whether it is possible to undertake the work of replacement of water pipelines within 48 hours of whole the area, if not why such type of orders have been passed on and issued to the residents of this area.

Who has passed these orders and why the name of the issuing officer has not been mentioned in the notice? Whether any permission was taken from the higher authorities before issuing such type of orders. Is this the result of complaining the facts to media about the dirty water supplied to this area and just to over come your shortcomings? Now you are imposing penalty on the residents.

That all the water pipe lines are damaged due to over flowing of dirty water from sewer-lines and Delhi Jal Board is fully responsible for that damage. From the last six months dirty water of sewer is overflowing from the main-holes due to sinking of land at the main out let at Kanhiya Nagar or Wazir Pur J J colony side. It has came to our notice from your office staff, that file for placing of tender to repair of the sinking land at main outlet is lying pending since long. You must be aware and witnessed the position that for out letting the dirty water, a pump has been installed at the out side of your office but there is no check whether that has been working properly or not. However from the last few days, the sewer problem has been some what improved, thanks to Delhi Aaj Tak.

The resident of this area regularly complaining for cleaning of sewer lines but no body from DJB was ready to listen and have not bothered to care this area. As a result we have to approach to media and after the flash now some is better than nothing. We would also like to remind you that it is fundamental right of each & every Indian citizen to fight for their rights.

That only dirty water flows in the taps of residents, when sewer overflows and not cleaned. Otherwise no dirty water flows in the taps. The reason of blockage of the sewer line is only the cause of dirty water which has been noticed. It is very astonished that instead of solving the problem of sewerage, you have passed very irresponsible threaten orders for disconnection of water with in 48 hours. This will not solve the problem, rather it will increase the problem.

Due to blockage of sewer-lines, this area is badly effected and many of the residents and children have fallen sick i.e. Typhoid and diarrhea. Medical records are also available. There is heavy rush in clinics/dispensaries and hospitals. Delhi Aaj Tak has flashed the footage of some of the ill children and peoples in the last fortnight.

Can you tell us? Whether Delhi Jal Board can stop the supply of drinking water by this way? Whether we are not paying water bill? Who has passed these irresponsible threaten orders?

Most of the residents have already replaced the pipe lines in last 2 or 3 years but it is not possible for them to produce the documentary evidences. Whenever some has replaced the line, your staff has stopped them to replace and demanded money by arguing that this is not legal and permission has not been taken before replacing the water pipe lines. But can you tell us? Whether any permission is not required for this time as you have ordered to replace the pipe lines of whole the area without obtaining the prior permission by the residents. Whether there is not a law break on the part of Delhi Jal Board?

In the above context, it is requested to withdraw the above notice with immediate effect, stop threatening to the residents of Keshav Puram Area. You are requested to take immediate steps to undertake the repair of sewer lines as it is your responsibility to solve the problem. It may also be noted that resident of Delhi are paying 50 % extra in water bills for sewer maintenance.

Dated : 21.06.2008

Yours faithfully

( R.K.Gulati )
Copy for information and necessary action.

1.The Secretary, Delhi Jal Board Jhandewalan Delhi.
2.Hon’ble Chief Minister ( Grievance Cell ) New Delhi.
3.Hon’ble Health Minister Delhi Govt.
4.Sh. Anil Bhardwaj, MLA
5.Dr. Mahender Nagpal, Municipal Councilor
8. The Secretary, Public Grievance Commission New Delhi.

Dated : 21.06.2008