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NGT Acts on Alarming Water Contamination Crisis
14 Jan
Summary
- NGT issued notices to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh governments.
- Sewage has mixed with drinking water due to old, corroded pipelines.
- Contaminated water led to vomiting and diarrhoea, sparking health fears.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated a suo motu case concerning "serious health issues" due to sewage contamination of drinking water in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Based on news reports, the tribunal has issued notices to all three state governments and relevant agencies, demanding affidavits on the matter. The reports indicate that drinking water pipelines are corroded and decades old, leading to sewage mixing with tap water, posing grave health risks.
Cities in Rajasthan, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur, have reportedly been affected. Similar issues have surfaced in Greater Noida, where residents fell ill with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming contaminated drinking water. Fears of an Indore-like tragedy loom, especially after E-coli bacteria were detected in Bhopal's drinking water due to sewage leakage into tube-wells. In Indore, six deaths were recently attributed to contaminated water.
The NGT has recognised these issues as significant environmental and public health concerns, potentially violating environmental protection laws. The Principal Bench is seeking responses from authorities in the affected states and the Central Pollution Control Board to ensure accountability and protect citizens' right to safe drinking water.
