The Jharkhand High Court has issued a stern directive to the state government, demanding immediate and effective measures to secure the drinking water supply in Ranchi and ensure it is free from contamination. The court's intervention came during a hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) that exposed alarming lapses in the city's water infrastructure.
Broken Pipelines and Temporary Fixes Exposed in Court
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar heard the PIL on Tuesday. The court was informed that the pipelines managed by the drinking water and sanitation department, crucial for supplying water to the public, are broken at multiple locations across the city. Shockingly, these leaks have been sealed with makeshift materials like plastic and even wooden blocks.
Advocate Khushbu Kataruka, representing the petitioners, argued that the department has only made temporary and stopgap arrangements to prevent leakage. She emphasized that such measures are utterly insufficient to stop the contamination of water meant for public consumption. The advocate painted a grim picture, warning that the situation is very serious and could lead to a tragedy similar to the one in Indore, where several people lost their lives after consuming contaminated water.
Pictures Reveal Dire State of Water Tank
The court's concern deepened upon being informed about the poor and hazardous condition of a water tank located within the Zila School campus. Photographic evidence of the tank was presented before the bench as concrete proof of the neglect. After examining the pictures, the judges observed that this water tank, which is directly linked to public welfare, requires urgent government intervention.
Court Demands Detailed Report, Next Hearing in a Fortnight
Taking a serious view of the submissions, the Jharkhand High Court has directed the state government to take immediate steps to address the crisis. The bench has also sought a detailed report from the government on the actions taken and the plan to permanently resolve the issue. The case has been scheduled for its next hearing after a period of two weeks, keeping pressure on the authorities to act swiftly.
This judicial order highlights a critical public health emergency in the making and puts the onus squarely on the state administration to safeguard its citizens from the dangers of contaminated water.
