Craving for water, Shimla residents pour out anger on social media
Shimla, May 28: People in Shimla, once a village that served as the summer capital of British India between 1864 and 1939, are craving for a glass of water, while their woes and anger are pouring on micro-blogging platforms, literally!
A majority of localities are facing a severe water supply crisis, getting potable water only once a week.
The reason: All water channels in Shimla and its suburbs, which are normally quenching the thirst of the people, have dried up this summer owing to less snowfall in the past winter and less rains thereafter.
City residents say the problem has aggravated ever since the mercury shot up and the sweeping heat wave across north India led to an influx of tourists to this popular destination to seek refuge in its cooler climes and they drained out the water.
"Today every Shimlitie is crying for a glass of water," B.D. Sharma, a former Press Secretary to the Chief Minister, said.
"People from various walks of life are making protest in one way or the other and bigwigs holding meetings to provide water to the people. But from where? Not only in Shimla but in its suburbs all water sources have dried up," he wrote on his Facebook page.
He said he remembered that there were a number of natural water resources in Shimla about four decades ago but they dried up due to unplanned development and haphazard construction.
Echoing Sharma's assertions, veteran journalist Rakesh Lohumi said "all those who raised illegal buildings, politicians have been repeatedly bringing policies to regularise them, burdening the hills way beyond the carrying capacity, are responsible for the water crisis."
He said the British ensured full protection of water sources by severely restricting human activity in the catchment areas and maintaining a healthy forest cover.
They preserved the green cover over the Shimla ranges so well that perennial springs spouted from the foot of almost every hill. Most of them have been buried under multi-storied structures or dried up over the past three decades, Lohumi added.
Even tourists are feeling the pinch of water shortage.
"There is no water in the taps. I am charged Rs 200 for a bucket of water by my hotel," Ranjan Chatterji, a tourist from Kolkata, told IANS.
He said this was the first tourist place where a visitor is charged money for water.
Shimla-based historian Raaja Bhasin said in the 1940s there was a proposal to create an artificial lake in Shimla.
"Not only (lake) for beauty, but also to handle situations like this," he added.
The crisis of drinking water in the state capital is becoming more serious and chaotic with each passing day, remarked former state Director General of Police I.D. Bhandari.
"The fighting is going on in the absence of chief (the Mayor) responsible for the same, as...has to see how things are working so well in another ancient country China," he wrote in a post.
While Shimla residents are grappling with water woes -- not exactly for the first time -- civic body Mayor Kusum Sadret of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is helming the Municipal Corporation for the first time in three decades since June 2017, is away in China on an official tour.
Resident Jyoti Sharma said it is well known that the depleted water table at a source can be recharged by allowing water to seep in using rainwater harvesting infrastructure.
"Yes, a collective multi-pronged approach towards a sustainable solution is the need of the hour. Else, 'Shimla left high and dry' will stop making news," she added.
Retired bureaucrat K.R. Bharti, who is also settled here, said the previous municipal body was shown the door on the issue of water and the present body might meet the same fate for the same reason.
Civic authorities say water shortage has become more acute after supply from the Ashwani Khad was stopped in 2015 following an outbreak of jaundice, which claimed over 20 lives, due to mixing of sewage from a nearby treatment plant with the natural water supply scheme that catered to Shimla residents.
Shimla's normal demand of water is 42 to 45 million litres per day (MLD) but the availability ranged from 23 to 25 MLD, says the civic body.
It blames leaks in the distribution network, a significant portion of which came up in the British days, and diminishing water resources due to over-exploitation.
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Recurring delays in approval, fund release give perception of systemic inequity: Siddaramaiah to PM
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention on 18 issues, including the demand to give constitutional protection to Karnataka's 56 per cent reservation policy and release of deficit grants, among others.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted that recurring delays on the part of the Union government, in approvals and fund releases to the state, have created a perception of systemic inequity.
CM sought the PM's intervention for the inclusion of Karnataka's 56 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution and inclusion of certain OBCs in the central list of ST.
He insisted on the release of revenue deficit grants, special grants to Bengaluru, and approval to the Mekedatu project, among others.
According to the chief minister's office, Siddaramaiah handed over the memorandum to the prime minister on his arrival at the city's HAL airport on his way to Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district.
"Karnataka has always taken pride in contributing to India's growth with responsibility and vision. However, recurring delays in approvals and financial releases have created a perception of systemic inequity. Addressing these concerns will reaffirm the spirit of true cooperative federalism and strengthen our shared vision for the development of India," Siddaramaiah said in the letter to Modi.
"The people of Karnataka look forward to your kind intervention in resolving these issues. I am certain that the Union Government will enable Karnataka to continue playing a transformative role in India's inclusive and sustainable development," he said.
"Our state embodies the aspirations of a progressive and inclusive India and remains steadfast in its commitment to the ideals of cooperative federalism," he said.
While Karnataka continues to be among the largest contributors to the national exchequer and a leader in economic and social development, certain long-pending issues require the Union Government's urgent attention, he said.
Pointing out that the railway coach factory at Kolar announced in the Railway Budget remains unimplemented despite the state offering 1.123 acres of land, Siddaramaiah said, reviving this project will catalyse industrial development and employment in the backward Kolar region.
He said that including the Bengaluru-Mysuru segment in the proposed high-speed rail corridor is essential for balanced regional development and enhanced connectivity. The state respectfully urges the Union government to expedite the release of committed Central assistance for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and to initiate the Bengaluru-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Corridor, connecting key districts of Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka.
The CM also sought the release of the pending central share of Rs 17,554 crore and resolution of policy issues, including support for retrofitting and augmentation schemes, to ensure universal access to safe drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Regarding 15th Finance Commission Grants to Gram Panchayats, he said, despite fulfilling all conditions, Karnataka is yet to receive grants of Rs 2,860 crore for FY 2025-26. "Their timely release is vital for sustaining rural infrastructure and essential services," he said.
Karnataka seeks the centre's urgent intervention for the sanction and implementation of pending National Highway projects, Siddaramaiah said, noting that the State has not received any major new NH projects in the last 12 years despite its significant contribution to the national economy.
Regarding revenue deficit grants of Rs 5,495 crore, he said, "The State requests the immediate release of the pending grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission to address fiscal imbalances and sustain developmental initiatives."
He also demanded a special grant for Bengaluru to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore.
He urged the PM to direct the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission to expedite the appraisal and approval of the Mekedatu Project, envisaging 67 TMC storage for Bengaluru's drinking water, regulated releases to Tamil Nadu, and 400 MW hydropower, in line with CWMA referral and the Supreme Court's judgment dated November 13, 2025.
Siddaramaiah further urged the centre to release the announced Rs 5,300 crore Central Assistance and national project status for the Upper Bhadra Project under the PMKSY-AIBP scheme, to gazette the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II Award and declare the Upper Krishna Project (Stage-III) as a National Project.
He also urged wildlife clearance for the Kalasa Nala Diversion Project, enabling the diversion of 1.72 TMC of water for drinking purposes under the Mahadayi Tribunal Award.
Other demands mentioned in the memorandum include: provision of dedicated financial support of Rs 5,000 crore annually for the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, in line with the spirit of Article 371(J) of the Constitution; establishing at least one public sector undertaking in each of the districts of North Karnataka; expedited forest, environmental, and wildlife clearances for the nationally significant energy storage project, which will enhance grid stability and support India's renewable energy goals; and establishment of AIIMS in Raichur.
