Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has ordered an expert committee to identify the causes of contaminated drinking water in different parts of the city and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas directed amicus Ishika Mahadule and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) counsel Jemini Kasat to suggest names of experts within a week.The directions came during the hearing of a suo motu PIL initiated after TOI reports highlighted contaminated water in several parts of the city, including Mankapur, where around 50 residents fell ill. Complaints from multiple zones had raised concerns over the city’s water-quality monitoring and the reliability of its drinking-water supply.An NMC affidavit showed that 26,671 water samples were tested between Jan 2025 and March 2026, of which 208 were found unfit for drinking. In Feb 2026 alone, eight of 1,683 samples failed quality tests, while 323 complaints of contaminated water were received.An earlier meeting chaired by the mayor found contamination in more than 50 settlements across nine of the city’s 10 zones, potentially affecting about four lakh residents. The affected areas included parts of Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Dhantoli, Nehru Nagar, Gandhibagh, Satranjipura, Lakadganj, Ashi Nagar and Mangalwari.NMC attributed contamination mainly to pipeline leakages, unauthorised tap connections, corrosion and loose joints and gaskets.In Nikhare Layout, Mankapur, a clogged and collapsed sewer chamber caused sewage to enter a nearby water pipeline, affecting 35 households. An inspection found 10 unauthorised connections on the pipeline. NMC said sewage entered through these connections and that unauthorised tapping had weakened the pipeline, increasing the risk of leakage.Orange City Water told the court that development works damaging pipelines and unauthorised connections also increased contamination risks. It submitted that the water-supply system could not be held solely responsible for every such incident.Key Takeaways:HC directed experts to identify causes behind unfit drinking water in NagpurNMC tested 26,671 water samples of which 208 were found unfitFeb 2026: 8 of 1,683 samples failed quality tests; 323 complaints receivedContamination found in over 50 settlements across 9 city zonesNMC blamed pipeline leakages, unauthorised tap connections and corrosionOrange City Water told HC that water-supply system not solely responsible
