The Allahabad High Court has taken stringent action regarding the water scarcity issue in the Allahpur region of Prayagraj. Responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by five residents from the Tilak Nagar area of Prayagraj, the court has summoned key officials, including the District Magistrate of Prayagraj, the Executive Engineer of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, Prayagraj, and the Managing Director of Jalkal Vibhag, Nagar Nigam Prayagraj, to appear before the court.
The PIL highlighted the plight of approximately 10,000 residents of the Pura Padiyan ward, who have been grappling with a severe drinking water crisis since 2021. The petitioners pointed out that a transformer was installed in June of the same year by the state power corporation to power a tubewell, ensuring a drinking water supply for the residents. However, in a surprising move, the transformer was removed in July, leading to a halt in the drinking water supply. The plea emphasized,
“the poles, wires and electricity board along with equipment are being installed and are not removed from the spot, only the transformer has been removed from the poles. The entire system is in working condition if the transformer gets installed again the tube well will start and the crisis of water shall not be in existence anymore.”
Taking cognizance of the severity of the issue, the bench, comprising Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, issued directives to the government officials. They were instructed to ensure an uninterrupted water supply to the affected area. The court further warned that if the officials failed to restore the water supply, their own water connections would be disconnected.
In a stern move, the bench ordered the District Magistrate of Prayagraj, the Executive Engineer, and the top official of the Jalkal Vibhag to ensure the water supply is resumed by the evening and to be present in court the following day. The court’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to addressing pressing public issues and ensuring the well-being of the residents.
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