Water-starved residents of Shimla continued their protests in the town and suburbs on Saturday.
Some of the localities have not been getting adequate supply of drinking water for more than a week.
Meanwhile, moderate to mild rain in most of the parts of the State on Friday brought some relief to the residents.
The High Court, which is monitoring the situation on a day-to-day basis, has given directions to the Shimla Municipal Corporation to ensure proper distribution.
The assistant commissioner of the Corporation has been told to collect details of the water released and also to keep a strict vigil on all “keymen” (operators of water controlling valves or keys).
There have been allegations against these keymen, in connivance with private hoteliers, are diverting the water meant for the local residents in Shimla to resorts.
Expressing surprise at the crises, the former mayors and deputy mayors said it was a fallout of poor distribution .
A few days back, High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol himself took stock of the water crisis. The High Court ordered that no individual or VIP should be given water through special tankers by the corporation, except to the residence and offices of Governor and Chief Minister. Connections being used for construction or commercial interests should be plugged, it said. It also directed the media to restrain from sensationalising the water crisis.
The District Magistrate has banned protests in and around the main town.
Meanwhile, a water tanker ran over an elderly woman on the busy Mall Road on Saturday afternoon. The deceased, Uma Kaprate ,65, was a resident of Chotta Shimla. Her daughter-in-law and granddaughter were injured. The driver, who appeared inebriated, had an epileptic seizure, said eye-witnesses.
