The Delhi Jal Board will deploy security guards at “strategic points” after receiving complaints that “anti-social elements” had damaged water pipelines, chairperson Kapil Mishra said on Wednesday.
‘Intentionally done’
Mr. Mishra said the issue came to light when area MLAs, the Chief Minister’s Office and he recently began receiving complaints of water shortage from different parts of the city.
“We began investigating the complaints since there was no fall in production of water. There was no reason for water supply and levels at the underground reservoirs to fall,” said Mr. Mishra.
He added that upon checking the water lines, the Jal Board found that some people had “intentionally damaged” pipelines at Burari, Matiala, Greater Kailash, Okhla, Rithala and Gandhi Nagar. “We will post about 40 to 50 security guards at about 15 strategic locations to ensure that the pipelines and valves are not damaged. If we find anyone damaging the infrastructure, we will file police complaints,” he said.
With elections to the municipal corporations of Delhi scheduled on April 23, the DJB chairperson said the timing of these incidents was suspect.
“There appears to be political reasons behind these acts. The timing creates doubts. I don’t want to name anyone, but we will take strict action if we find anyone damaging the city’s essential services.”
