The ongoing water and power crises in the rural as well as urban areas are soon reaching a flashpoint, jolting the civic agencies and turning into a law and order problem in Gurgaon district.

In its own curious way, the issue of power and water shortage is bridging the rural-urban divide. On the one hand, aggrieved people of Islampur, Nathupur and Badshapur villages blocked Subhash Chowk, NH-8 and MG Road bringing the traffic to a halt, while residents of DLF colony have been protesting against erratic water supply on the other hand.

Prolonged power cuts in Delhi had triggered riots when angry mobs damaged discom offices and properties. Gurgaon too might witness a similar backlash from the agitating villagers if the situation doesn’t improve.

Residents of various villages had recently blocked the major roads including NH-8, demanding better water supply and improved sewerage system.

“The situation is getting unbearable. I will not be surprised to see people resorting to violence and blocking roads in Gurgaon to shake up the administration and state government,” said R S Rathee, president, Gurgaon Citizens’ Council.

In both the rural and urban Gurgaon, water woes are an offshoot of the severe power shortage. The city needs 70MGD but gets only 40MGD of water, the shortfall of 30MGD has an impact on every household in Gurgaon. According to Census 2011, out of a total of 3,20,642 households in Gurgaon district, including both rural and urban population, only 1,93,401 households get treated tap water.

According to Rathee, the dismal power situation is having a devastating effect on water supply in both the rural and urban areas of Gurgaon. Most people depend on tubewells and borewells for water. “Power cuts in the city last for over six hours and more than 10 hours in the rural areas. The poor power situation is having a direct bearing on the district’s water supply,” said Rathee.

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