Residents of Ulhasnagar's Subhash Tekdi fall ill after foul, muddy tap water

The problem of contaminated water has turned serious in the Subhash Tekdi area of Camp No. 4 in Ulhasnagar. For the past few days, taps here have received water only every two to three days, and it is very muddy and foul-smelling, leaving residents fearful.

Some people have developed cough, vomiting and diarrhoea after using the water. Some residents are also said to have throat trouble. The health concern has left residents of Subhash Tekdi both afraid and angry.

People in the area are also facing a severe water shortage. The borewell installed by the municipal corporation is in a bad state and the water supply is not regular. As a result, people have to wander in search of drinking water. When water finally arrives in the taps after two or three days, they have no option but to store it. But residents say the tap water is muddy in colour and has an intense stench.

Residents have complained that the smell does not go away even after the water is boiled. Yet they are forced to use the same water, and that has given rise to the health concern.

Social worker Sanjay Waghmare expressed strong displeasure over the situation. He said the muddy, foul-smelling water coming to Subhash Tekdi is unfit even for household use, let alone drinking. He also said the water smells terrible, like rotting fish. He said providing citizens with clean and adequate water is the primary responsibility of the municipal corporation.

Waghmare has demanded that the corporation immediately inspect the water supply in the Subhash Tekdi area and send water samples to a laboratory for testing. He also warned that if the corporation does not resolve the problem quickly, residents of Subhash Tekdi will be rallied for a strong agitation.

When contacted, Ashok Ghule, executive engineer of the water supply department, said the contaminated water was due to some technical reasons. He also said a letter had been sent to the MIDC on the matter.