Kolkata Housing Complex Exodus Continues Despite Water Restoration
In a distressing development in New Town, Kolkata, numerous residents of the Sukhobrishti housing complex's E Block are abandoning their homes and relocating temporarily elsewhere. This mass exodus persists even after water supply was reinstated on Thursday, as the ordeal continues unabated. The restored water is strictly limited to toilet and flushing purposes only, leaving families in a precarious situation.
Widespread Health Crisis and Hospitalizations
Over the past three weeks, more than 300 residents of the complex have fallen victim to acute diarrhoea, with some cases severe enough to require hospitalization. Families have squarely blamed the contamination of water in the overhead tanks for this health emergency. In response, they launched demonstrations and approached local police authorities seeking an urgent resolution.
The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), which oversees the area, has confirmed the presence of coliform bacteria in water samples collected from the complex. However, as of Thursday evening, officials remained unable to pinpoint the exact source of this contamination. This uncertainty has compelled many residents to take drastic measures for their safety and well-being.
Residents Voice Their Anguish and Relocate
Neha Gupta, who departed the complex on Thursday to stay with her in-laws in Assam, expressed her frustration: "My kids are sick and there is no water for practical usage at home. How can we live in a situation like this? Until we get proper water supply and are also assured that the source of contamination is identified and repaired, we are not going back."
Other residents, including Abdul Karim and Ankit Rai, have also left with their families, shifting to nearby relatives' homes until conditions improve. Asutosh Kumar, whose two children suffered from diarrhoea and stomach upset, stated they plan to move to a hotel or a friend's place by Friday if no improvement is seen. "We are rationing water for cleaning and washing purposes but are solely dependent on mineral water jars for consumption and cooking. If the situation does not improve by Friday, I am also leaving," Kumar explained.
Water Supply Cut and Ongoing Cleaning Operations
Water supply to the E Block section was severed on Monday following resident protests against the contaminated water. Authorities subsequently initiated a comprehensive cleaning operation targeting all 141 overhead tanks within the complex. By Thursday, approximately half of these tanks had undergone deep-cleaning, with officials estimating at least three more days to complete the remaining work.
Ankit Rai, who relocated with his family, detailed the restrictions: "We were told the water can be used only for toilet and flushing purposes. We were strictly told not to use the water for drinking, cooking, bathing, brushing, and washing utensils until we get a green signal from the facility management. Residents need to get water from water tanks supplied by NKDA and the local panchayat office, which are parked in the common area outside the towers."
Authorities Highlight Maintenance Neglect
NKDA officials have pointed to significant neglect in the housing complex's internal storage system. They noted that the pipelines and internal reservoirs, particularly in E Block, have not been cleaned or properly maintained for years. The authorities emphasized that the housing complex management must undertake regular maintenance and cleaning of their pipeline infrastructure to prevent such crises in the future.
This ongoing situation underscores critical issues in urban water safety and residential facility management, leaving hundreds of families in limbo as they await a permanent solution to the contamination problem.
