Nagpur: Expressing displeasure over Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s failure to file its response, Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted the civic body one week to explain the alleged supply of contaminated drinking water in nine of the city’s 10 zones.A division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas was hearing a PIL registered after the court took note of TOI reports highlighting the issue. Amicus curiae Ishika Mahadule placed the matter before the bench, while Gemini Kasat appeared for NMC.Information presented at a meeting chaired by the mayor indicated that contaminated water was reaching residents in more than 50 localities and could affect around four lakh people.The reported affected areas include Ajni and East Samarth Nagar in Laxmi Nagar; Dabha, Pandhrabodi and Panchsheel Nagar in Dharampeth; and Vasant Nagar in Dhantoli.In Nehru Nagar, the list includes Nandanvan Layout, Gurudev Nagar, Kavelu Quarter and Tajbagh. Siraspet, Jalalpura, Ganeshpeth and Lodhipura are among the affected areas in Gandhibagh, while parts of the Itwari railway station area, Premnagar and Bhankheda were reported affected in Satranjipura.Bhandewadi, Pardi and HB Town in Lakadganj; Pawan Nagar, HUDCO Colony and Nara village in Ashi Nagar; and Borgaon and Nikhare Layout in Mangalwari were also listed.The issue gained urgency after TOI reported contamination in Mankapur, where around 50 residents fell ill. Complaints from multiple zones have since raised questions over the effectiveness of the city’s water quality monitoring system and its promise of safe, round-the-clock supply.The court had earlier issued notices to the principal secretaries of the Water Resources and Water Supply departments, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, NMC commissioner and Orange City Water Works, seeking their responses. With NMC yet to file its reply, the bench granted it a final week to place a detailed response on record, including measures taken to tackle the contamination.#Key takeaways:HC took serious note of alleged contaminated water supply in the city.More than 50 localities across nine of Nagpur’s 10 zones are reportedly affected.Information placed before the court indicated that around four lakh residents could be affected.The court criticised NMC for failing to file its response despite earlier directions.The civic body has been given a final one-week deadline to submit a detailed reply.Notices had earlier been issued to senior state officials, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, NMC commissioner and OCW.The case concerns a public-health issue arising from water quality.
