Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: A persistent foul stench in taps, rising illnesses and an alarming water crisis have pushed hundreds of residents in west Delhi’s Janakpuri – many of them elderly – to the brink. With stomach infections, skin diseases and the unbearable odour taking over households, families are spending a hefty sum on bottled water for their daily needs.For almost five months, residents say contaminated water – reeking like a drainage system – has been flowing through taps, filling homes with a smell so strong that many say their house “feels like a sewer line or a gutter”.The elderly are worst hit. Several have reported repeated stomach infections; others battle skin rashes. “We’re not even able to cook with this water,” a 77-year-old resident said, adding that most households depend entirely on purchased drinking water, spending over Rs 100 daily.Rajiv Paasi, a 62-year-old resident of BE Block who lives with his wife, son and daughter, said they have been facing this issue for years. But, while the problem was occasional earlier, it has now become routine. Paasi said they have made every possible effort – filing complaints to approaching the area MLA, councillor, Delhi Jal Board officials and even IIT-Delhi – but nothing has been resolved.
When contacted, a DJB official acknowledged that a complaint about foul water had been received from BE Block. “The main cause was identified as a sewer in a surcharge condition, as the outfall of the BE Block sewer had settled. Work to replace the sewer has begun. In the meantime, regular flushing is being carried out to manage the situation,” said the official. Several old-time settlers have raised concerns about the health risks. Dr Suranjit Datta, 68, who has been living in the area for the past 20 years, said “the situation has never been this bad”. “The crisis has gone beyond inconvenience; this is about survival now. When water is filled in a bucket, it turns completely black. We bathe with dirty water and then rinse ourselves with filtered water. Even our RO filters are failing because the water quality is so poor,” he said, adding that his wife, 66, has suffered from stomach infections twice. In many homes, the stench does not fade. Buckets filled during supply ho-urs leave a lingering foul smell. Residents say the contaminated water cannot be used for plants either, as it would damage them. G S Suri, a 77-year-old retired railway employee, said they are unable to cook food due to the poor water quality. “We are spending hundreds of rupees every day on drinking water and buying bottles. My wife, who is 72, and I are regularly facing stomach issues,” said Suri. Residents say the problem is not limited to stomach ailments, as many are suffering from skin issues too. Nakul Mehta, president of B Block, said the problem has persisted in the block for over the past four years now. “DJB has tried to resolve the issue several times, but there has been no permanent solution so far. Earlier, we used to face this problem 10-15 times a year, but over the past six months, it has become continuous,” he said, adding that he is on medication due to skin rashes that oc-cur almost every day.
Poll
What solution do you believe would be most effective in resolving the water crisis in Janakpuri?
Residents said more than 600 people living in about 190 flats have been impacted. “They are falling sick, houses have become unliveable, and money is being spent just to access basic water. This cannot go on,” said a resident.
