Temporary water connections for people outside ‘lal dora’ in 22 villages

In a step which will provide relief to hundreds of residents living outside ‘lal dora’ of 22 villages, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has decided to give them temporary water connections. The MC shall provide water supply as per availability and no separate network shall be laid for the same. The MC has prepared the draft bylaws for the purpose, which will be placed in the next meeting of the general house to be held on June 3. Presently, the people living outside ‘lal dora’ are not being provided water connections by the MC. They have been demandingthe basic facilities for long. ‘Lal dora’ is an extension of a village habitation, which can be used by villagers for non-agricultural purposes only. Any construction on the agricultural land beyond this boundary is illegal. But the people have done large-scale constructions in the areas in villages. As per the draft Chandigarh Water Supply bylaws Amendment 2025, temporary water connections shall be given to the residents living outside (‘lal dora’/‘phirni’) of 22 villages, subject to the submissions of certain documents and acceptance of conditions. The owners of the houses will have to submit proof of ownership, i.e. driving licence/rent agreement/passport/old age pension /electricity bill/payment proof of property along with registry of house/plot/GPA/sub-GPA. One-time construction charges will be charged as per constructed area of the house and water charges will be charged as per Chandigarh water supply bylaws. Certain conditions have also been proposed in the draft bylaws which will have to accepted by the residents for the connections, which will be temporary. The consumer shall have no ownership rights or claims to the connection and no permanent entitlement will arise from it. In the event of a demolition drive carried out as per directions of the Chandigarh Administration or any court, the temporary connections shall be disconnected by the MC. No water supply/sewer line shall be laid by the MC. This temporary water connection is only for water supply purpose and shall not be considered proof of ownership in case of any dispute or litigation. If any forged document is found at a later stage, then the water connection will be disconnected without any prior notice. The water connection will be disconnected immediately if a resident defaults in the payment of water charges. In case of any contamination in the water, the MC department shall not be held responsible. The water connection shall be disconnected if the sewer connection is found connected with the storm water drainage. Sewerage and other maintenance charges shall be charged as per the water tariff in case of sewer disposal in septic tanks. The MC had prepared the draft bylaws as per the decision taken in the general house of MC held in March. While approving the agenda it was decided to prepare the draft bylaws to be sent for approval of the Administration. The agenda has been prepared on the basis of various judgments of courts in this regard. “This is a historical step as a large number of residents will get water connections. Once approved, the draft bylaws will be sent to the Administration for issuing the notification. It will generate more revenue for the Municipal Corporation.” Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla.

Chandigarh