As the harsh winter finally gives way to spring in the Hills, the all precious water has become scarce, as always. People in Kalimpong town mostly rely on natural springs, while they travel kilometres to meet their daily water requirements.

The water supplied by the government’s Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department is irregular and it flows in the taps once in every 2- 3 days, which, residents here say is insufficient.

“Summer is about to hit the town, and the PHE provides water every 2-3 days. This is not sufficient for us and we have to buy water at the rate of Rs 500 for 1000 litres. The 1000 litres last for 12-15 days, that is, if we use Bagdhara (natural spring) for washing clothes and taking bath,” said Sushma Chettri, who lives around Bagdhara below the popular Mela Ground here.

Local people called this spring their “saviour” that caters to most of the families lining in the municipality area.

It may be mentioned here that Kalimpong residents have suffered from an acute water shortage for the past two decades, with no permanent solution yet in sight.

However, the new board of Kalimpong Municipality has assured that it would resolve the water problems as soon as possible.

Municipality chairman Rabi Pradhan said they have held discussions with the state government and that they have tabled a proposal to pump in and distribute water from the Teesta river in the town.

“We have submitted the detailed project report (DPR) and the estimated cost to the government. We have received positive feedback from them, and we will definitely do our best to resolve the water problems,” Mr Pradhan said.

Meanwhile, a washerwoman at Bhagdhara, who has been washing people’s clothes for the past three years for her living, said she walks 3.5 kilometres everyday to wash the clothes.

“We don’t have proper water facilities in town, and there is so much of rush here at Bagdhara,” she lamented.

As this correspondent talked to people either washing clothes, filling their pitchers or washing themselves at Bagdhara, popular footballer of the town Nadong Bhutia, who had represented Mumbai City FC and Atletico De Kolkata in the Indian Super League, also ‘freshened-up’ at the spring after a practice and coaching session at Mela Ground.

“I come here to freshen myself up since my school days, and the water problem has existed since then. Natural spring water is the only saviour in Kalimpong. It is high time authorities concerned did something about this perennial problem as soon as possible,” Mr Bhutia said.