Lucknow: While the northern states are facing the first heatwaves of the year, the residents of the slum area at Gulala Ghat are facing severe shortage of water.
In fact, the people living in this part of the old city of Lucknow have been forced to collect and use the water that is overflowing from a power substation water tank.
The scarcity is making the heat even more unbearable for the people of this area. Throngs of them can be seen waiting with their buckets standing in queues, waiting for the tank to overflow in hope of getting some water for their consumption.
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A few years ago, it was announced that Gulala Ghat will be developed as a movie shooting destination. The area is known as the cremation site and was beautified by Former MP, late Lalji Tandon.
However, the slum residents are struggling for a drop of water and as the summer days arrive, their situation may worsen. Women and children will continue to collect the water as it overflows from tanks and falls to the ground, until the administration makes better arrangements of water supply for them.
Unfortunately, the water shortage is not affecting just one area in the region. many parts of Lucknow are facing scarcity of water for consumption. The growing population in cities, construction work, etc. have overburdened the water sources. Treatment plants are supplying water from Gomti river in order to meet the water demands of the city and adjoining areas. Rain water harvesting and water conservation are the need of the hour and steps need to be taken to ensure that people living in poorer parts of the city also have access to water.
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However, in areas like slums, there is absence of proper infrastructure and people are suffering. There is need for water supply to be made available to the people living in poor conditions as access to water is a basic necessity of life.