Water Contamination Crisis Hits Greater Noida's Alpha 2
More than seventy residents in Greater Noida's Alpha 2 sector have fallen ill. They consumed water contaminated with sewage. Damaged pipelines caused this serious health issue.
How the Problem Emerged
The situation became public on January 8. Subhash Bhati, president of the Alpha 2 Residents Welfare Association, discovered four college students living as tenants had typhoid. "After the Indore tragedy, we are all scared. We immediately checked their medical reports," Bhati stated. A recent incident in Indore's Bhagirathpura area killed at least fifteen people from contaminated water.
Bhati and others checked nearby homes. They found more cases. "In a house next to that of the college students, a family of six complained of stomach ache and nausea," he added. The sector houses over 25,000 people across blocks A to F.
Residents Describe Dire Conditions
Deepak Nagar, a local resident, shared his experience. "People have been falling sick time and again. The area smells because of the open drain and water reaches our home," he said. Residents report severely corroded galvanised iron water pipelines. Several sewer lines remain uncovered. This leads to frequent water contamination, flooding, and clogged drains inside houses.
Anita Gautam, a 55-year-old resident, said the problem existed long before gaining attention. "I fell sick, and my 19-year-old son was hospitalised. Small children have also been admitted to hospitals," she revealed. Gautam explained temporary fixes fail. "Every week, there is a pipe leakage. Labourers come and fix it temporarily, and the problem returns."
Similar Issues in Nearby Delta 1
The health scare in Alpha 2 coincided with reports from Delta 1. Around thirty residents there also fell ill from contaminated water. Following complaints, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority fixed one leakage in Delta 1. They collected water samples for testing.
Authorities Respond and Explain Delays
Vinod Sharma, General Manager of Water Management at GNIDA, confirmed actions. "On January 8, we had taken water samples from Alpha 2 and sent them for testing as well after we received a few complaints of water contamination," he said. Test results are expected next week.
The next day, GNIDA formed a high-level committee. It will review the city's water supply system. The committee ordered an urgent audit of pipelines, reservoirs, and water ATMs.
N P Singh, general secretary of Alpha 2's RWA, expressed frustration. He said multiple complaints sent to GNIDA for over a year and a half went unheeded. The pipeline remained unfixed. Bhati accused GNIDA of deflecting responsibility. "The life of these iron pipes is over. This is extremely serious. People in a planned city are drinking sewer water."
Official Statements on Repair Work
GNIDA officials acknowledged pipeline replacement work is underway. It will take time. Sharma explained a recent development increased pressure. "We have started replacing the iron pipes. Recently, Ganga water supply was introduced in these areas, and the increased pressure caused leakages in old pipelines," he stated.
Sharma detailed recent repair efforts. "Last week, we fixed five damaged lines in Alpha and Delta sectors. There is a 35-km pipeline stretch, and repairs are being done one by one. Water supply cannot be stopped entirely, so repairs have to be carried out simultaneously. People need to be patient," he added.
When asked why permanent repairs did not happen earlier despite complaints, Sharma defended the authority. "We used to receive one or two complaints from individual households, which were fixed. Also, water tanks in houses need cleaning. The authority alone cannot be blamed."
The situation remains tense as residents await lasting solutions and test results.
