A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed with the Delhi High Court highlights a year-long sewer overflow crisis causing water contamination and waterborne diseases. The PIL, filed by NGO Social Jurist, attributes the issue to insufficient desilting, reduced sewer cleaning resources, and outdated infrastructure.
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NEW DELHI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Delhi High Court, raising alarm over the ongoing sewer overflow crisis in various parts of the capital. The plea points to a series of overflows in the last year, which have resulted in widespread water contamination and the outbreak of waterborne diseases in several regions. The PIL is set to be heard by a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on tomorrow (13th Sept).
The PIL, filed by the NGO Social Jurist, cites multiple causes contributing to the sewer overflow problem. These include the lack of desilting of major trunk and branch sewer lines, a reduction in sewer cleaning machines, labor shortages, and the urgent need for the replacement of aging sewer infrastructure.
“The respondents have completely failed to address the sewer overflow and related water contamination issues. It is regrettable that internal conflicts within the Government of NCT of Delhi are causing undue hardship to the public.”
–the petition stated.
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The plea emphasized the severity of the situation by noting that-
“Delhi has experienced severe and unprecedented sewer overflow over the past year, leading to widespread water contamination and the spread of waterborne diseases in several areas. Addressing the sewer overflow issue is crucial for the greater public interest.”
In response to a representation sent by the petitioner, the Delhi Water Minister acknowledged the existence of the sewer overflow issue and outlined the reasons behind it. The minister pointed to an “artificial financial crisis and administrative quagmire” orchestrated by the Finance Department of the Delhi government, exacerbating the problem.
The plea elaborated that –
“The failure of the respondents to address sewer overflow issues, due to internal conflicts among authorities, resulting in health problems, constitutes a violation of the fundamental rights of Delhi residents as guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.”
The petition underscores that the failure to address the sewage overflow has led to not only environmental contamination but also serious public health concerns, including the spread of diseases in affected areas.
The petitioners have called for immediate intervention by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), urging them to “forthwith resolve all issues related to sewer overflow and consequent water contamination issues.”
Additionally, the plea requests that the Finance Department of the Delhi government release adequate funds and provide the necessary approvals for the DJB to carry out essential repair and maintenance work to alleviate the sewer overflow problem. Specifically, the petition seeks to address the administrative hurdles that have contributed to the crisis.
The PIL further seeks the establishment of an independent committee tasked with overseeing the resolution of the sewer overflow problem. This committee would ensure that the issues are resolved in a timely manner and that no further public health hazards arise due to negligence.
The petition has named multiple key players in the administration as respondents, including the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, the Delhi government’s Water Minister, the Chief Secretary, and the Finance Department. Additionally, the Delhi Jal Board and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi have also been included as parties responsible for resolving the sewer issues.
