• Source:JND

For a long time, the supply of contaminated and foul-smelling water has become a serious crisis for residents in the National Capital’s densely populated areas, including Nabi Karim, Prem Nagar, Rajendra Nagar, and Daryaganj. The situation has deteriorated to the point where people face a daily struggle just to secure clean drinking water.

In many locations, residents are forced to fetch water from borewells installed in temples or from tanks situated near open drains. Despite repeated complaints, officials have reportedly refused to resolve the issue or even collect water samples for testing.

Residents Forced To Buy Bottled Water

The situation is particularly alarming in the Inderpuri area of the Rajendra Nagar constituency. Local resident Omprakash Bairwa states that complaints regarding foul-smelling water have been surfacing for the past week.

Residents lodged complaints with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the local MLA’s office three days ago. However, no inspection has been conducted, nor has a solution been found. Consequently, people are forced to purchase bottled water costing between Rs 20 and Rs 40 for drinking purposes.

The Daily Struggle For Water

In the Nabi Karim area, residents report receiving dirty water for the past two years. Locals state that taps in several streets dispense black, foul-smelling water that is unfit for drinking, bathing, or cooking. In some spots, borewell pipelines pass near drains; residents are forced to collect and use this intermittent, contaminated supply out of desperation.

Hamid from Prem Nagar reports that residents of Street No. 1 have been continuously complaining to the Jal Board, yet the water remains dirty, and no official has visited for an inspection. Similarly, in Daryaganj, the situation remains unchanged despite a complaint filed a month ago.

ALSO READ: Exploring Rural Uttarakhand Soon? State Plans Two Tourism Villages In Every District; Details

Rising Costs Of Transporting Water

Beyond the water quality, the physical task of carrying water has created a secondary economy. In Rajendra Nagar, porters are charging significant amounts to carry water up to apartments:

1st Floor: Rs 25

2nd Floor: Rs 30

3rd Floor: Rs 35

4th Floor: Rs 40

This imposes an additional financial burden on the poor and middle-class residents.

ALSO READ: Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose Threatened With 'Blast' In Email, Police Launch Manhunt

Voices From The Ground

A local resident Lal Bahadur said, "This problem has persisted for the last 2 years. Complaints have been made many times, but no solution has been found."

Jagdish said, "We are using this water for cooking and bathing. It is causing diseases like vomiting and diarrhea to spread."

Ladli Parveen said, "Complaints were made many times to the MLA, the local Municipal Councilor, and the Delhi Jal Board. Forget about a solution, no one even comes to look at the situation."

Mohammad Shahid said, "Children cannot even bathe before going to school in the morning. We manage somehow in the winters, but the condition becomes terrible in the summers."


Also In News