Now Reading: Janakpuri residents pay Rs 1.5 lakh yearly for dirty water
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Janakpuri residents pay Rs 1.5 lakh yearly for dirty water
Residents of BE Block in Janakpuri, New Delhi, have been struggling with contaminated water since July, forcing them to spend an estimated Rs 400 daily on bottled water for drinking, cooking, and…
Residents of BE Block in Janakpuri, New Delhi, have been struggling with contaminated water since July, forcing them to spend an estimated Rs 400 daily on bottled water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Nakkul Mehta, the local RWA president, said at least 192 families are affected, with the annual cost averaging Rs 1.5 lakh. Residents report the water is so dirty it cannot be used even for brushing teeth or washing hands, and some have fallen sick or developed skin problems.
The situation worsened after July 2 when a severe sewer overflow occurred. A temporary pump installed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) during summer helped drain sewage but was later removed during construction work, causing the contamination to return. On Wednesday, residents showed water samples to DJB officials, who assured that sewer connection work would be completed within days and water quality tests would be conducted. Residents have demanded copies of inspection and test reports.
Separately, in Madangir G Block, taps have been dry for two days, and bottled water prices have surged from Rs 40 to Rs 150 for a 20-litre bottle. Residents said they need at least two such bottles daily.
Indian Opinion Analysis
This is not an isolated crisis. Delhi's ageing water and sewer infrastructure, much of it built decades ago for a fraction of the current population, regularly fails under pressure from unplanned construction and maintenance gaps. The DJB's temporary pump fix, removed before a permanent solution was in place, highlights a recurring pattern: stopgap measures that collapse when construction or monsoon stress returns. For residents, the financial hit is steep: Rs 1.5 lakh a year is roughly 10-15 percent of a middle-class household income in west Delhi. The real test will be whether DJB completes the sewer work and shares test results within the promised days, or if the cycle of assurances and broken timelines continues.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
