Amidst scorching temperatures and stifling humidity, Kolkata is grappling with an unprecedented surge in demand for water tankers provided by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Sources from the KMC indicate that the requirement for water tankers has surged by approximately two-and-a-half times as compared to previous years, underscoring the severity of the ongoing water scarcity exacerbated by adverse weather conditions.
Currently, the KMC has mobilized a fleet of 126 tankers, each undertaking 10 trips daily, to cater to the pressing needs of thousands of residents. This effort translates to an average supply of 6 lakh litres of water per day, a stark contrast to the typical operation involving around 50 tankers during normal conditions. Each tanker, capable of carrying 450 litres of water per trip, charges beneficiaries a fixed transportation cost of Rs 450 per trip, ensuring equitable access to essential water supplies across the city.
Senior officials from the KMC water supply department attribute this sharp increase in demand to the persistent heatwaves that have frequently pushed temperatures beyond 40°C coupled with heightened humidity levels. Areas predominantly relying on groundwater, such as Behala, Garia, Bansdroni, and Jadavpur, among others under the KMC jurisdiction, have been particularly hard-hit, necessitating frequent requisitions for water tankers to mitigate shortages.
The strategic deployment of tankers spans key replenishment points strategically located across the city, including Convent Road near Moulali, Wellington Square, and Kalighat, among others. Despite operational constraints typically from 7 am to 6 pm, emergency services extend beyond stipulated hours to address urgent demands, underscoring the KMC’s commitment to alleviating water scarcity issues promptly.
Moreover, the surge in demand is not confined to individual households but extends to housing complexes and high-rises grappling with technical glitches in water pumps or power disruptions. This phenomenon has significantly bolstered the volume of requests received by the water supply department for tanker services.
Looking ahead, KMC officials indicate a readiness to escalate the number of deployed tankers further depending on evolving circumstances, reaffirming their proactive stance in addressing the city’s water supply challenges. As Kolkata navigates through this critical phase, the efficacy of KMC’s tanker operations remains pivotal in ensuring uninterrupted access to water, a lifeline for the city’s residents amidst challenging climatic conditions.
