Prayagraj Water Crisis | Allahabad HC Directs DM, Jal Vibhag Officer To Appear In Court Tomorrow, Restore Supply By Evening

Dealing with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by 5 persons from the Tilak Nagar area of Prayagraj complaining about the non-supply of water affecting 10,000 people of Pura Padiyan ward, the Allahabad High Court today directed for the personal presence of the Prayagraj District Magistrate and Jalkal Vibhag's top officer before the Court.

A bench of Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava has also directed the Government officials to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the affected area, failing which the water supply of the concerned officers shall be disconnected.

The order was passed by the bench after the PIL plea submitted before the Court that the petitioners are the residents of the Tilak Nagar area of Prayagraj wherein a severe drinking water crisis existed since 2021 and in June this year, a transformer was installed by the state power corporation to provide power to the tubewell which ultimately ensured drinking water supply to the residents.

However, the plea further submitted that in July this year, the said transformer was removed suddenly, resulting in the non-supply of drinking water to the residents. Now, seeking restoration of the electricity connection of the tubewell, the PIL plea was moved before the Court.

"...the poles, wires and electricity board along with equipment are being installed and are not removed from the spot, only the transformer has been removed from the poles. The entire system is in working condition if the transformer gets installed again the tube well will start and the crisis of water shall not be in existence anymore," the PIL plea contended.

Taking a serious view of the matter, the Bench directed the DM Prayagraj, Executive Engineer and the Top official of the Jalkal Vibhag to remain present before the Court tomorrow and to ensure that the water supply is resumed by the evening.