New Delhi – The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has come down heavily on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for allegedly supplying contaminated drinking water to residents of Janakpuri. According to complaints filed by local Resident Welfare Associations, households in the area have been receiving water mixed with untreated sewage, raising serious public health concerns.

In an order dated May 14, a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Justices Sudhir Agarwal, Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member Afroz Ahmad, criticized the DJB’s delayed response to the issue. The bench noted that despite the gravity of the matter, DJB had not taken swift remedial action, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also failed to expedite water quality testing as previously directed.

“Supply of drinking water unfit for consumption is a very serious matter. The DJB has not taken expeditious action, and CPCB has not followed previous orders to provide timely sample reports,” the tribunal remarked.

The tribunal has now directed the CPCB to collect new water samples from 10 different locations — both old and new — without prior intimation to DJB or any other agency. These samples are to be tested with a focus on faecal coliform and E. coli contamination, and the results must be submitted promptly.

During the hearing, the applicant's counsel informed the tribunal that several residents had fallen ill after consuming the contaminated water. Alarmingly, one resident had to be hospitalized after being diagnosed with Hepatitis A and an E. coli infection.

The DJB submitted an affidavit dated April 5 claiming it had taken action, but the NGT deemed the response inadequate until the water is proven to be safe for drinking.

The tribunal has summoned the Chief Engineer of DJB to appear at the next hearing on May 30, instructing the department to come prepared with a permanent solution to the problem.

This case highlights the urgent need for regular water quality checks in urban areas. With health risks escalating due to waterborne diseases, citizens are urged to take proactive measures.

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Source: https://rb.gy/epp27x