Shimla water crisis: Tourist-packed hotels scramble for water as supplies drop sharply
The influx of tourists has significantly increased water consumption. Shimla boasts 276 registered hotels and numerous unregistered accommodations, along with an estimated 963 Airbnbs and homestays. To meet the high demand, hotels resort to purchasing water from private tankers, costing between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 per tanker, depending on the hotel's location.
Shimla Water Crisis
Shimla's water supply comes from six different sources: Gumma, Giri, Churat, Chad, Seog, and Koti Brandi. Recently, the city received 20.49 MLD from Gumma, 8.43 MLD from Giri, 1.22 MLD from Churat, 0.45 MLD from Chairh, and 0.95 MLD from Koti Brandi, totaling 31.54 MLD, with no contribution from Seog.
M.K. Seth, president of the Shimla Hotels and Tourism Stakeholders Association, attributed the water crisis to unprecedented hot weather and a prolonged dry spell, leading to the drying up of water sources. He noted that in previous years, water supply was generally stable, with only a few tankers needed during peak season.
Memories of 2018 Shimla Water Crisis
Shimla's worst water crisis occurred in the summer of 2018, prompting widespread protests as residents struggled for weeks without adequate water. In response, the state government formed Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) on April 16, 2019, to manage water supply and wastewater in the Greater Shimla Planning Area. SJPNL launched an ambitious project to draw 67 MLD of water from the Satluj river, lifting water from Shakrodi village to Sanjauli, involving a lift of 1.6 km
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