On Camera, Delhi Residents, Amid Water Scarcity, Chase And Climb Atop Tanker

Several parts of Delhi are reeling under a severe water crisis at the moment. As taps run dry, people depend on water tanker services to fill buckets and water pitchers for use. Now a concerning video that shows how people are ready to risk it all for water is going viral. The video shows 10 to 15 people chasing a water tanker and climbing on top of it even before the tanker comes to a halt. It shows how desperate people are for usable water. The video was recorded in Chanakyapuri’s Vivekananda Camp.

The video also showed policemen standing at the scene even as people risked their lives by climbing the water tanker. So far it has gathered over 2.9 lakh views since it was shared on June 13.

The video has prompted several responses from people who are criticising the government for poor water management. An X user remarked, “What’s even more concerning is the gap in water supply between rich neighbourhoods & slums. While the wealthy have continuous running water & can afford expensive private tankers, the underprivileged don’t have these luxuries. Many people in unauthorized colonies have to rely on unsafe water sources, which can lead to water-borne diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, & typhoid.”

Another person wrote, “Only people who have been in this kind of situation realise the hardships people go through. When water becomes your war cry, what else do you want to achieve in life.”

Someone else commented, “I’ve spent three years in Raj Nagar part-2, New Delhi and I must say those were the worst days of my life from April to August I used to buy 4 bottles of 20 litres of water and I used it for all my household work. Worst worst place.”

An X user wrote, “India is going to celebrate 77th Independence Day this year. But still, we are seeing these visuals in the National capital of India. It’s so shameful and heart-wrenching.”

Someone saw a positive thing in the above-mentioned video and wrote, “Example of a perfect coordinated effort. Youngsters are climbing up the tanker with pipes and elderly, clinging to their water pitchers filling from the respective pipes. Here there are no Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist Congress, BJP, Samajwadi Party or BSP. Everybody is a human being with a common cause.”

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court slammed the Delhi government for refusing to tackle the problem of tanker mafia and water shortage. “Water is engulfed by tanker mafia and you’re not taking any action,” the bench, presided over by Justice PK Mishra, said while hearing the Delhi government’s plea for the release of water from Himachal Pradesh.