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The Delhi High Court has strongly rebuked the Delhi Jal Board for its failure to provide clean drinking water in several areas of East Delhi, where residents have reportedly been receiving water contaminated with sewage. During a recent hearing, the court made scathing observations about the civic body’s negligence and lack of accountability, calling the situation alarming and unacceptable.
Chief Justice DK Upadhyay, who presided over the bench, expressed deep concern over the condition of the water supply in localities such as Yojna Vihar, Anand Vihar, and Jagriti Enclave. He said it was tragic that people had to approach the courts in order for the authorities to take action on something as basic and essential as drinking water. In a pointed remark, the Chief Justice told Delhi Jal Board officials, “You are asking people to drink sewer-mixed water. Unless someone approaches the court, you don’t even go there to check.” The bench emphasized that the matter was a gross violation of public health and civic responsibility and said that supplying such water to households amounted to serious dereliction of duty.
The issue surfaced after numerous residents from East Delhi neighborhoods complained of receiving foul-smelling and discolored water for several days. Many had raised grievances with the DJB through local channels, but no substantial action had been taken. It was only after a legal petition was filed by advocate Dhruv Gupta that the matter came under judicial scrutiny. The petition alleged that thousands of residents in East Delhi were being exposed to health risks due to the contaminated water supply, with several households receiving black-colored water that smelled of sewage. The petitioner also claimed that the problem had persisted for months despite repeated public complaints and that the civic body had not made any effort to investigate or address the issue adequately.
Taking note of the gravity of the matter, the court issued firm directions to the DJB to immediately inspect the affected areas and ensure the supply of clean, safe drinking water. The court instructed the board to go door-to-door if necessary and verify the quality and color of the water being delivered to households. “You need to check the colour and quality of the drinking water. Go door-to-door if necessary, and submit a comprehensive report,” the bench stated in its order. In addition to this, the Delhi Jal Board was asked to replace the old and damaged pipelines in the Yojna Vihar area without any delay. The court made it clear that failure to comply with these directions would be viewed seriously and could invite further legal consequences.
“What could be more tragic than people receiving water mixed with sewage?” the Chief Justice observed during the hearing. The court said that such a scenario should not exist in the national capital, particularly when authorities are expected to maintain basic standards of civic infrastructure and public health. However, the court declined a request to expand the scope of the case to include the entire city. Addressing the petitioner, the bench explained that while the issue of water contamination was important, it would not be practical for the High Court to monitor water supply issues across all regions of Delhi in one single case. “If you raise the issue for the entire city, it will be difficult for the court to monitor,” the bench stated.
Despite this, the court’s strong reaction and immediate directions underline the seriousness of the matter and have put pressure on the DJB to act swiftly and transparently. The civic body has now been asked to conduct ground-level inspections in all the reported areas and submit a follow-up report to the court detailing the status of water quality, pipeline repairs, and any measures taken to ensure clean water supply in the affected localities. The case continues to be under active consideration, with the court planning to review the compliance report in the next hearing. Meanwhile, residents of East Delhi await urgent action from the authorities, hoping the judicial intervention will finally bring resolution to a long-neglected issue.
In recent years, complaints about water contamination and erratic supply have been a recurring problem in parts of the city. Experts have often pointed out that outdated pipelines, poor maintenance, and lack of accountability in civic departments are the root causes of such issues. The latest observations by the Delhi High Court are expected to prompt a wider review of infrastructure by the DJB, at least in regions where similar complaints have been raised.
The court’s stern words and targeted intervention have once again highlighted the role of judicial oversight in ensuring basic civic rights in urban India. As the case progresses, it may also set a precedent for how courts handle similar cases of public health neglect tied to government inaction. For now, the onus is on the Delhi Jal Board to restore safe drinking water to thousands of East Delhi households and regain public trust.
