'May Lead To Epidemic': High Court Takes Suo Moto Cognizance Of Alleged Mixture Of Sewage With Drinking Water In Chandigarh EWS Colonies

Observing that the situation may "lead to an epidemic", the Punjab & Haryana High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of alleged mixture of sewage with drinking water supply at economically weaker section (EWS) colonies in Chandigarh.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, "It appears that nobody is taking up responsibility of solving the emergent situation, which may lead to an epidemic, since once water supply to the said colonies is contaminated and is consumed, it may lead to wide-spread diseases."

The Court directed the UT Chandigarh administration, which also controls the Chandigarh Housing Board, "to take necessary steps to resolve the problem and submit a compliance report before the next date of hearing."

The Court took noted of the newspaper article published in The Tribune on August 30, wherein it was reported that, "there is mixture of sewage with drinking water supply at economically weaker section (EWS) colonies in Dhanas, Maloya, Ram Darbar, Vikas Nagar, as well as Sectors 56 and 38, within the town of Chandigarh."

According to the news item, "while occupants of these EWS colonies in Dhanas, Maloya, Ram Darbar, Vikas Nagar, and Sectors 56 and 38, have been paying ground rent/rent to the CHB, they continue to remain deprived of the basic facility of getting clean water in the “Smart City” of Chandigarh."

After hearing the Senior Standing Counsel of UT Chandigarh, and counsel appearing on behalf of the Chandigarh Housing Board, the Court directed to to take necessary steps to resolve the problem and submit a compliance report before the next date of hearing.

The matter is listed for September 04, for further consideration.

Title: Court on its own motion v. U.T. Chandigarh

Mr. Amit Jhanji, Senior Standing Counsel, UT Chandigarh, and Ms. Sukhmani Patwalia, Advocate.

Mr. G.S. Wasu, Advocate, for the Chandigarh Housing Board.

Click here to read/download the order