Khoda Colony Water Crisis: ‘Water Mafia’ Takes Advantage of Locals, Groundwater Drops to 1,000 Feet
Khoda Colony Water Crisis: Founded almost 50 years ago, Khoda Colony is today dealing with a serious humanitarian crisis. Residents are facing a severe water scarcity as a result of the infrastructure’s inability to keep up with the population’s explosive growth to about 12 lakh.
Declining Groundwater and Exorbitant Prices
The area’s groundwater level is steadily dropping as a result of over-extraction and a shortage of substitute sources.
Critical Depth: According to locals, water levels have fallen to 700 feet in some places and less than 1,000 feet in others. Submersible pumps are failing even at 1,000-foot depths because the situation is so bad.
Unaffordable Infrastructure: Although some affluent locals have constructed their own submersible pumps, others cannot afford the expense. Most homes cannot afford the current Rs 400,000 to Rs 500,000 cost of installing a deep-boring submersible pump.
Growth of the Illegal “Water Mafia”
An unregulated and exploitative illicit water market has emerged as a result of the water constraint.
Tanker Mafia: The community receives water from an illegal tanker network that charges between Rs 300 and Rs 500 to fill a single 500-liter tank, which usually only lasts a family one day.
Surge Pricing: An extra 100 to 200 rupees is charged if the water must be pushed to the second story or above.
Private Exploitation: Locals who have installed submersible pumps are taking advantage of the situation as well. These people sell water to their neighbors, charging each household Rs 2,000 a month to fill their tanks. These people are making hundreds of thousands of rupees a month by exploiting common groundwater supplies for their own financial gain.
Voices from the Ground
Families are being forced to pick between water and basic needs as a result of the crisis, and many are reducing their spending on food and education.
“Purchasing water not only throws off our budget, but it impacts our entire lives,” said Raju Kumar, a resident of Khoda. Our children’s schooling and home costs must be reduced.”
Sunil Kumar, another resident of Khoda, stated: “The situation in Khoda is becoming worse every day because of the water constraint. The level of groundwater is declining. The issue would worsen if the Ganges water delivery is not started right away.
“Every family here purchases water to meet their daily needs,” said Amarendra Kumar, a resident. The home budget is totally disrupted by this. The kids’ schooling is also impacted.”
“It also costs 4 to 5 lakh rupees to install a submersible water pump,” Manoj Kumar said. We don’t have a budget like that. Purchasing water to get by is preferable.