By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Even after 33 deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area, the administration remains indifferent, alleged Congress leader Manoj Shukla on Friday. Following complaints of foul-smelling and black water in the drinking water supply in Bhopal’s Zone No. 17, Shukla inspected the supply in Janata Nagar using a TDS meter.
During the on-spot inspection, TDS readings of water supplied to households were found to be between 200 and 300, far above acceptable levels. Shukla said residents had repeatedly complained about dirty water, but the issue remained unresolved despite raising it during municipal water grievance hearings.
He claimed that consumption of high-TDS water was adversely affecting the health of residents in Narela Janata Colony, with cases of kidney and liver stones increasing. On medical advice, many families have been forced to buy drinking water from the market.
Shukla accused the Municipal Corporation of treating water hearings as a mere formality. Officials reportedly admitted that most water pipelines run close to sewage lines and are over 40 years old, causing contamination, especially during the initial 25 minutes of supply. Shukla demanded immediate action from Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain.
Ward 78 councillor Mohd. Riaz, along with Syed Usman Ali, Babar Khan, Mohd. Saeed and Sameer Pathan, were present.
