Chandigarh, Feb 20 (IANS): Residents in Chandigarh complained about water shortage as water supply in the union territory (UT) continue to be hit for the third day on Wednesday.

Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) had on Monday asked residents to brace for water shortage for two days (February 18 and 19). However, the water supply was not restored fully even on Wednesday.

"The MC has completed the ongoing work of intake sump at take off point at Kajauli for connection of phase V and VI at 7.00 p.m. inspite of heavy rain last night. The level of water works is going to take time for giving water supply at full pressure. So, keeping in view that no inconvenience is caused to the citizens, the supply will also be given through tankers on February 20 in addition to water supply from water works," a MC spokesman said.

Water supply in all parts of the city was at low pressure on Wednesday morning and would be the same in the evening also, the spokesman said.

"We are facing water shortage for the second time this month. Earlier also, the problem persisted for three-four days. The authorities are not taking adequate measures to lessen the suffering of people," Mamta Sharma, a resident of Sector 41, said.

The MC claimed that it has made arrangements to supply water through 62 tankers and additional tankers will be arranged according to requirement. All the tankers have been fitted with motors to pump water up to top floor and overhead tanks.

"Owing to ongoing work in the water supply line at take-off point at Kajauli (Bhakra mainline canal) for the union territory, water supply has been affected in the entire city since Monday evening," a MC official said.

The city had faced water shortage on February 7 to 10 also due to the ongoing work to augment water supply. "At present, Chandigarh is getting 58 MGD (million gallons per day) of raw water from Phase I to IV from Kajauli. The work of Phase V and VI for bringing 29 MGD additional raw water from Kajauli before summer season is nearing completion," the spokesman said.

The MC is promising that with the additional supply capacity, the city, with a population of over 1.1 million people, will get 24x7 water supply.

Being the joint capital of two states - Punjab and Haryana - and the headquarters of the UT administration, Chandigarh has a large number of VIPs, including ministers, politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and other influential people.