‘Sewage water’ supplied in north Delhi, DJB clueless

New Delhi: It has been 40 days since the residents of Mukherjee Nagar in North Delhi are getting “sewage mixed” water in their taps. The residents have made several complaints about the “turbid and blackish water” to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and even to the deputy chief minister’s office, but all in vain.

The people living in areas like West Mukherjee Nagar, Bhai Parmanand Colony, Dhaka Colony, etc. have been either buying Bisleri cans or are using RO water for non-drinking purposes. The residents said the water they are getting is “extremely smelly” and filled with dirt and other particles.

“This has become a major health hazard for us. I have been flagging a mail every night to the DJB CEO and the following day he forwards it to the member, water secretary. Even the deputy chief minister has forwarded the issue to the DJB and the chief minister, but nothing has transpired yet. People are only exchanging mails as if it’s a game and nothing is happening on the ground,” said Sarath Kumar, a resident of West Mukherjee Nagar.

The pipelines in the colony are 40 years old. The DJB too admits that due to wear and tear and low pressure the water lines and sewage lines, which are just next to each other, get mixed when there is any leakage, thus giving way to contamination.

Sanjeev Verma, a junior engineer at DJB, said that he inspected the area but could not find the source of contamination.

“We are aware that the pipelines are old and we want to carry out repair work on the roads. But we are not getting permission from the PWD (public works department),” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Kumar said that according to the DJB website, complaints lodged through any means — of the ones they have listed out — will be resolved in 24 hours.

“But it has been 23 days since I raised the issue. Why are DJB officials so complacent even in such grave matters? Officials, till today, are saying that they are yet to find the fault. Were they sleeping all these days?” he asked.